Trey Lance has no desire for a fresh start even though his path to becoming the franchise quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers has many roadblocks, Josh Dubow of The Associated Press reports.

After the Niners traded three first-round picks to draft him third overall in 2021, Lance has started only four games after serving as a backup for most of his rookie season and being injured most of last year.

Now he heads into his third season behind the former Mr. Irrelevant Brock Purdy, who went from being the last pick of the 2022 draft to the presumed starter in San Francisco as long as he recovers from offseason elbow surgery.

That led some teams to check in to see if the Niners were ready to move on from Lance, but he had no interest in a trade even if it gave him a clearer path to becoming a full-time starter.

“I knew where I wanted to be,” he said. "I just want an opportunity to compete. I love it here. I love the coaching staff. ... Love the quarterback room, love the guys in the locker room. No doubt for me, this is absolutely where I want to be.”

Lance said he believes he is in his best state mentally since entering the league. The stress of learning a new offense as a rookie and working his way back last spring from a finger injury that altered his throwing motion and contributed to a tired arm are now in the past.

Lance is also fully recovered from the broken ankle that cut short his second season in Week 2 and can now focus on making the subtle improvements needed to be able to be a good starting quarterback in the NFL.

“I really feel like I’m having fun playing football again,” he said. "It’s hard those first years, my first year especially and then last year, I thought I’d be able to get close to that point of not having to be so stressed and worried and have a better understanding of offense and defense and I finally feel like I’m able to just have fun and enjoy it again. Obviously, there’s ups and downs and there is stress and anxiety that comes with playing the position and playing football, but this is the best I’ve felt for sure.”

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