The greatest quarterback in San Francisco 49ers history believes they got it wrong in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Joe Montana opined to ESPN that the franchise with which he won four Super Bowls should have selected Mac Jones instead of Trey Lance.
“If I was the 49ers, I would have taken the kid from Alabama,” he said. “Nothing against the guy they took, it’s just that’s a more pro-style offense, more used to being in more pressure situations than that. We’ll see what happens in San Francisco, but nothing against Trey. It’s one of those things, here’a guy that’s got a great team behind him.”
Not that The Comeback Kid himself won’t be watching Lance’s progress with the 49ers.
“They’re always a fun team to watch,” he said.
There was actually a lot of speculation when the 49ers traded up from the No. 12 pick to No. 3 that the 49ers’ intention was to draft Mac Jones. Former NFL quarterback and current NBC Sports personality Chris Simms, a friend of 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan, broached the subject out loud.
“I think it’s Mac Jones. I do,” Simms said. “I don’t know that, but just knowing my friend, knowing his history, knowing his school of thought to make that type of move, that’s the one that makes sense to me. … I think he makes sense to him, one, because, I think, after Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson … he’s the most NFL ready right now.”
Jones has looked proficient with the New England Patriots, who have won three of their last four games to reach a .500 record.
Trey Lance started one game for the 49ers, throwing 16-29 for 192 yards, no touchdowns, and an interception in a 17-10 Week 5 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. He did rush the ball 16 times for 89 yards, but suffered a knee injury that kept him out a couple weeks before he returned as a backup to Jimmy Garoppolo for this past Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears.