3 teams that should call 49ers for Trey Lance trade with Brock Purdy’s emergence

1. Trey Lance could solve the Carolina Panthers’ quarterback problem

Few teams in the NFL have been more desperate for a long-term answer at quarterback than Carolina. Owner David Tepper has made it his mission to find the team’s next franchise quarterback after moving on from Cam Newton as the Panthers acquired both Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield via trade in recent years.

Mayfield was a flop and was cut in December while Darnold will be a free agent this spring. A strong finish to the season, led by Darnold, helped Carolina finish second in the NFC South and land the ninth pick in the draft, which likely puts them out of range for a top quarterback in the draft.

Tepper may look to make a big splash, such as acquiring Derek Carr from the Las Vegas Raiders, but taking a swing on Lance makes more sense in terms of utilizing assets. Lance should only cost a draft pick or two and is still on his rookie contract, which would allow the Panthers to spend more to improve the rest of the roster than if they absorbed Carr’s huge deal.

There are offensive pieces to work with in Carolina, such as wideout D.J. Moore, that could make Lance’s learning curve much simpler. Adding the right coaching staff would be key but finding a way to land Lance may finally solve the Panthers’ long-standing search for their post-Cam Newton leader.