San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance is fully fit again ahead of the 2023 NFL season after suffering a season-ending ankle injury only two weeks into last year’s sophomore campaign. The number three overall pick in the 2021 Draft was named a starter over the incumbent Jimmy Garoppolo before a fibula fracture and ligament disruption wrecked his campaign.
It has been an injury-affected first two seasons in the league for Lance, who admitted to playing through a right index finger injury picked up in preseason during his rookie season. A left knee sprain also cost the freshman a game during that campaign while
The North Dakota State product will hope to remain injury free this year. It is the third year of a four-year, fully guaranteed $34.1 million rookie contract; a fifth-year team option is available next offseason.
But whether the Marshall, Minnesota native will still be in San Francisco by that point is far from certain. Lance was the subject of significant trade talks before the 2023 draft but stayed with the organization.
The prospect of being moved is a reality of professional sports, something his girlfriend, Brynn Chandler, is acutely aware of. She is the daughter of former NFL quarterback Chris Chandler, who spent 17 seasons playing in the league for seven franchises.
Her grandfather John Brodie was also a 17-year quarterback in the league, with the 49ers of all teams. Brodie, the 1970 NFL MVP, is a Niners Hall of Famer. His number 12 shirt is retired by the franchise.
Brynn herself was a sporting star, playing volleyball at college for the Georgia Bulldogs. The setter spent four years there before transferring to Gonzaga as a graduate. She used her extra year of eligibility during the 2021 season while studying for a Masters.
Lance is not the only football player in his family, either. His younger brother Bryce is a wide receiver at his alma mater. The Marketing major, who redshirted the 2022 season with the Bisons, was recently named on the Missouri Valley Football Conference Honor Roll and received the Commissioner’s Academic Excellence award.
At Marshall High School, Bryce set various school records for receiving yards, receptions, and interceptions as a wide receiver and safety. He was also an all-conference basketball player, scoring a team-high 15 points during their 2020 section championship victory.
The brother’s parents are Angie and Carlton. His father played football for the Canadian Football League’s Saskatchewan Roughriders and over in Europe for the London Monarchs.