The clock is ticking on Trey Lance — and it could be getting late early.
The 49ers quarterback started Sunday’s 34-7 preseason loss to the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium and couldn’t get the offense going, with San Francisco going three-and-out on its first three series.
Lance played the first half and completed 10 of 15 passes for 112 yards, but was sacked four times and had two potential interceptions dropped by Las Vegas defenders.
One near-pick occurred in the end zone that 49ers tight end Ross Dwelley dove to catch for Lance’s one touchdown throw.
ESPN analyst and former quarterback Dan Orlovsky, who played 12 seasons in the NFL, said Lance could be done in San Francisco during Monday’s “Get Up.”
“I don’t think Trey Lance can play in Kyle Shanahan’s offense. I’ve seen enough. One, he doesn’t have reps playing football. That’s a reality,” Orlovsky explained.
“The ball doesn’t come out quick enough for Trey right now. And I think that, after watching (Sunday), he’s so much more comfortable as an under-center quarterback than a shotgun quarterback.
“But Kyle’s offense has really become a shotgun offense. It’s become ball distribution. It’s become play point guard. It’s become get it out quickly. And that’s just not where Trey is right now.”
Shanahan, for his part, was diplomatic about Lance after Sunday’s loss.
“I don’t put that all on Trey by any means. The whole offense was real sloppy to start,” Shanahan said.
“We’ll look at it and see what his chances were to get some of those (throws) off. I thought on a couple he definitely couldn’t. And a couple he probably could have.”
Lance, for his part, owned up to his struggles.
“That was definitely frustrating,” Lance said. “I put it on myself to be better.”
The 49ers mortgaged their future to move up in the 2021 NFL Draft and select Lance with the No. 3 pick.
He entered 2022 as San Francisco’s starter, but only played in two games before suffering a season-ending ankle injury.
Brock Purdy has since emerged as the 49ers’ quarterback of the future, while Sam Darnold, the No. 3 pick by the Jets in 2018, is proving to be a capable backup, meaning Lance could be out of a job.
The next audition comes Aug. 19 when San Francisco hosts the Denver Broncos at Levi’s Stadium.
