49ers say goodbye to Jimmy Garoppolo again
The San Francisco 49ers were prepared to move on from quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo last year. This time, it’s going to happen for sure.
Brock Purdy or Trey Lance. One of them will be the Week 1 starter for the San Francisco 49ers come September. Jimmy Garoppolo won’t be in the mix.
Unlike last year when the Niners unsuccessfully tried to trade Garoppolo before eventually needing him to start 10 games after Lance fractured his ankle in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks, the veteran won’t be back. He’s scheduled to hit unrestricted free agency for the first time in his career. When he does come March, it’s over. The only question is where the 31-year old veteran will land.
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On Wednesday, general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke to the media while wrapping up the season. Each expressed their viewpoint on the future. Shanahan was clear on Garoppolo’s pending exit, saying there’s no scenario where he would return.
With Garoppolo out of the mix, San Francisco is looking at a pair of youngsters in Purdy and Lance. Both are coming off serious injuries and with a combined nine regular-season starts between them.
As for Purdy, who tore his UCL in the NFC Championship Game, Lynch offered a timeline of his potential return, per ESPN:
“The positive bit of news is that it seems to be consistent that the right approach is that one that takes about that six-month point. Now everybody will also say you never know until you get in there. Every surgeon will tell you that on every surgery. You always like getting in to see exactly … . They’re continuing to work through that process, but we seem encouraged by the prognosis that that’s kind of where it’s at.”
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Once Garoppolo officially hits the market, look for interest to be significant.
Despite his limitations, Garoppolo helped the Niners to three NFC title games over the past four years, including a Super Bowl appearance in 2019. He won’t be expensive by comparison to a trade for Aaron Rodgers or the signing of Derek Carr, and yet is a much preferable option to guys like Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, Matt Ryan and Carson Wentz.
One destination to watch is the Las Vegas Raiders, who are moving on from Carr and yet desperately need a quarterback. Head coach Josh McDaniels worked with Garoppolo for four years while with the New England Patriots, giving him a leg up on knowing the system.
The 49ers have another offseason of quarterback drama ahead, but it won’t include Garoppolo this time.
