The San Francisco 49ers named quarterback Trey Lance their No. 3 signal caller, according to multiple reports. Veteran journeyman Sam Darnold, not Lance, will be Brock Purdy‘s backup. There may be no way forward for the 49ers and Lance, who could be traded before the regular season arrives.

Plagued by recurring injuries and inconsistent play, Lance made just four starts in San Francisco. The 49ers traded away three first-round selections in order to move up and draft Lance in 2021. They now seem prepared to admit defeat and move on.

We’ve identified three destinations that would give Lance the best chance at salvaging his career.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

The Vikings previously had serious discussions about acquiring Lance via trade, per Dianna Russini. It would make sense for those talks to be reignited. Veteran Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins is entering the final year of his contract. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has denied opportunities to engage in discussions over an extension for Cousins, who doesn’t appear likely to return to the team in 2024.

The Vikings passed on opportunities to draft Cousins’ clear successor. Lance would immediately be an upgrade at backup quarterback over Nick Mullens while giving the Vikings a potential succession plan. He’d be inheriting an offensive-minded head coach in Kevin O’Connell, the best wide receiver in the league in Justin Jefferson, and an exciting No. 2 in Jordan Addison. The Vikings represent the most realistic landing spot for Lance.

MIAMI DOLPHINS

The Dolphins exercised the fifth-year option on quarterback Tua Tagovailoa earlier this offseason. That keeps him signed in Miami through the 2024 campaign and should keep the Dolphins out of the quarterback market for a minimum of two years. That is if everything goes according to plan.

Tagovailoa suffered a series of scary-looking head, neck, and back injuries in 2022. He’s been limited to 13 regular-season appearances in back-to-back campaigns and has never played a full season. Earlier this summer, Tagovailoa admitted he considered retiring.

The Dolphins need a more effective plan behind their injury-prone franchise quarterback. Mike White and Skylar Thompson aren’t the answers if Tagovailoa is sidelined for a portion of 2023. The price to acquire Lance, who is on a team-friendly, cost-controlled rookie deal through 2024, has never been lower. Surrounding Lance with talents like Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle could help the former North Dakota State standout reach his performance ceiling, much like it has for Tagovailoa.

DETROIT LIONS

The Lions have yet to commit their long-term future to quarterback Jared Goff despite him performing admirably for the team. The Lions also drafted Hendon Hooker in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. General manager Brad Holmes isn’t yet convinced that Goff is capable of leading them to the promised land.

The Lions scored a fifth-ranked 26.6 points per contest in 2022. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson installed a scheme that is running like a well-oiled machine. If the Lions don’t sign Goff to a multi-year extension, acquiring Lance to compete with Hooker to be Detroit’s quarterback of the future would be a wise strategy. Either one would be surrounded by playmakers like Jahmyr Gibbs and Amon-Ra St. Brown.