Dieter Kurtenbach: The 49ers have a massive quarterback mess. There’s no resolution in sight.
Dieter Kurtenbach, Bay Area News Group
John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan made this mess.
Now they’re going to lay in it.
The 49ers’ general manager and head coach had a top priority this offseason — move quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo off the team’s roster.
They failed. Training camp has started, and Garoppolo is still on the roster.
The incumbent starting quarterback was in the team facility on Tuesday. He might not be practicing with the team come Wednesday, but there’s little reason to think he will be anything other than a 49er anytime soon.
So much for a clean break, and a no-question transition.
It’s time for everyone to get comfortable with an uncomfortable situation.
Yes, the 49ers appear hellbent on entering the season with a $26 million backup quarterback. All while there are 26 million ways this strange, unfortunate experiment could backfire.
After all, there can’t be a single person involved with this scenario that likes that fact. We’ve reached a point of mutually assured disappointment.
Who knows — the fact that everyone hates this scenario might just be why it works.
Like it or not, so long as Garoppolo is on the Niners’ roster, everyone is going to have to follow the company line, which Shanahan laid out clearly on Tuesday:
“This is Trey’s team. We’re not going to mess around with that anymore. Jimmy understands that fully. He’s a big guy. Nothing against him. It’s a business decision,” Shanahan said.
The Niners’ brass is hoping they won’t have to keep making statements like that all season — that such truths will be obvious and implied.
Still, Shanahan and Lynch — who couldn’t negotiate a deal for Garoppolo with any other team — bargained with themselves in their press conference answers. They tried to downplay the strangeness of the quarterback quandary in a variety of ways. Perhaps some were even convincing.
But the subtext of their comments were impossible to miss. You can see where the cracks in the facade are — how delicate this situation is.
That’s probably why the Niners are hoping to keep Garoppolo out of sight and mind for both Lance and the media for the time being. Garoppolo will likely not practice with the team for a few weeks. He is still coming back from shoulder surgery, after all. It will, indeed, be Lance’s team.
“He does have a throwing program… there’s a protocol. He’ll be doing that on the side. We don’t plan on him practicing with the team,” Shanahan said of Garoppolo. “Hopefully we can figure out what’s best for both parties. ”
You can’t help but feel for Lance a bit. It was already a tricky spot to take over for Garoppolo. Now he has to take over for Garoppolo while Garoppolo is present.
The kid better perform well while he has the stage to himself, because once Garoppolo is out of his throwing protocols and is capable of practicing with the team, it would be essential not to have left any doubt about who the best quarterback is on the team.
Of course, the Niners’ brass still, somehow holds out hope — beautiful, naive hope — that they can trade Garoppolo. This, despite every team in the NFL telling the 49ers directly or through inaction that they are not interested in No. 10.
Think about this: Instead of trading for Garoppolo, the Cleveland Browns decided to firebomb whatever vestige of a reputation the organization once had by trading for Deshaun Watson and giving him a $230 million contract.
They chose to trade for and give a new, massive contract to the quarterback who was accused of sexual misconduct with 66 women between 2019 and 2021, according to the New York Times, instead of trading a forgettable draft pick for one year of Garoppolo — who already knows the Browns’ offense — at roughly $26 million.
No one is trading for Garoppolo. Not unless the 49ers pay for him to play for that new team. And that’s not going to happen.
As for cutting Garoppolo, who only has $1.4 million of this year’s contract guaranteed, Shanahan said that was out of the question too.
“We think Jimmy would have been traded if that surgery didn’t happen,” Shanahan said. “We also can’t just give one of the better quarterbacks in the league, just make them available for no reason to the whole world.”
And so you have it: Lance is the new No. 1 quarterback, but the old No. 1 isn’t going anywhere.
The 49ers will test just how well the kid performs under pressure before this season even kicks off. They’re going to see just how good of a teammate and how “big” of a “guy” Garoppolo is.
George Kittle was right when he said Tuesday that Shanahan’s emphatic comments wouldn’t mark the end of him — or any of his other teammates — being asked about whether Lance or Garoppolo should start.
Now, this is the optimism of the first day of camp talking, but there have unquestionably been crazier quarterback situations in Niners history, to be sure. And after going into a season with Brian Hoyer and C.J. Beathard as the top quarterbacks not too long ago, having two capable options to start games seems like a winning scenario.
This might just work.
It might not.
But no matter what, leave Lance’s inexperience and Garoppolo’s ill-timed surgery out of this.
No matter how this strange situation plays out, Shanahan and Lynch are responsible.
And this is their mess.
49ers clear QB Jimmy Garoppolo to practice and to seek trade, per report
If Garoppolo reports with his adoring teammates for camp, this conceivably goes two ways. One, he’s stashed on an injury list to keep him off the practice field for days, perhaps weeks, perhaps so the 49ers can wait for his trade market to reignite. Or, two, he’s cleared for a QB competition, one that still won’t rival the Montana-Young heat amid a dynasty but still will generate massive attention.
Garoppolo is eligible to open camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. He was excused from the 49ers’ offseason program and minicamp to continue rehabilitation in Los Angeles from March 8 surgery on his throwing shoulder. He hurt that wing in the playoff-opening win at Dallas (a shoulder he also hurt in 2016).
When Garoppolo returned from knee reconstruction in 2019, he did not open camp on the PUP list, and instead was full-go from the outset all the way to Super Bowl LIV. Heck, if he goes on PUP now and doesn’t come off it all season, the last year of his contract tolls into 2023, according to the collective bargaining agreement.
When Colin Kaepernick came off shoulder surgery for 2016 camp, 49ers doctors cleared him, only to see him develop arm tightness after two weeks. He rested two preseason games and didn’t reclaim his starting role until Week 6 of his final season.
Kyle Shanahan said in June that Garoppolo’s right thumb injury (in December at Tennessee) didn’t require surgery. Mind you, he only began throwing two to three weeks ago, The Athletic reported. If the thumb or shoulder flares up, well, then more injury-list time could keep Garoppolo shelved. By the way, being on the PUP list to start the season would eliminate him from playing the first six games, and his $24 million salary would still be in effect.
If Garoppolo reports with his adoring teammates for camp, this conceivably goes two ways. One, he’s stashed on an injury list to keep him off the practice field for days, perhaps weeks, perhaps so the 49ers can wait for his trade market to reignite. Or, two, he’s cleared for a QB competition, one that still won’t rival the Montana-Young heat amid a dynasty but still will generate massive attention.
Garoppolo is eligible to open camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. He was excused from the 49ers’ offseason program and minicamp to continue rehabilitation in Los Angeles from March 8 surgery on his throwing shoulder. He hurt that wing in the playoff-opening win at Dallas (a shoulder he also hurt in 2016).
When Garoppolo returned from knee reconstruction in 2019, he did not open camp on the PUP list, and instead was full-go from the outset all the way to Super Bowl LIV. Heck, if he goes on PUP now and doesn’t come off it all season, the last year of his contract tolls into 2023, according to the collective bargaining agreement.
When Colin Kaepernick came off shoulder surgery for 2016 camp, 49ers doctors cleared him, only to see him develop arm tightness after two weeks. He rested two preseason games and didn’t reclaim his starting role until Week 6 of his final season.
Kyle Shanahan said in June that Garoppolo’s right thumb injury (in December at Tennessee) didn’t require surgery. Mind you, he only began throwing two to three weeks ago, The Athletic reported. If the thumb or shoulder flares up, well, then more injury-list time could keep Garoppolo shelved. By the way, being on the PUP list to start the season would eliminate him from playing the first six games, and his $24 million salary would still be in effect.
49ers clear QB Jimmy Garoppolo to practice and to seek trade, per report
Doug Benc
If Garoppolo is not traded, Shanahan said in June he expects him to practice at camp. Asked if he’d excuse him from action, Shanahan replied: “I’ll think about that when that day comes, but Jimmy is under contract with us, and if he was healthy, right now I would see him coming to practice. Unless we traded him.”
Garoppolo’s agent, Don Yee, did not return messages seeking comment, but he told NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero on Monday that Garoppolo is “progressing well and on schedule. We’re optimistic about the upcoming season.”
Garoppolo surely would be eased into practice, giving Lance more first-team reps, which he took all of this offseason. Aug. 12 is the preseason opener against the Packers, who Garoppolo and the 49ers upset amid the Lambeau Field snow for their last playoff win.
Brace for Garoppolo-Lance daily stat updates if the 49ers allow for a camp competition – and all the distraction that comes with it. That follows a summer in which Garoppolo rehabbed behind the scenes. Lance not only was QB1 at 49ers HQ but also did extensive work with 49ers’ receivers in Southern California private workouts, including one this week in which Brandon Aiyuk mocked recent reports that Lance is prone to arm fatigue.
Doug Benc
If Garoppolo is not traded, Shanahan said in June he expects him to practice at camp. Asked if he’d excuse him from action, Shanahan replied: “I’ll think about that when that day comes, but Jimmy is under contract with us, and if he was healthy, right now I would see him coming to practice. Unless we traded him.”
Garoppolo’s agent, Don Yee, did not return messages seeking comment, but he told NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero on Monday that Garoppolo is “progressing well and on schedule. We’re optimistic about the upcoming season.”
Garoppolo surely would be eased into practice, giving Lance more first-team reps, which he took all of this offseason. Aug. 12 is the preseason opener against the Packers, who Garoppolo and the 49ers upset amid the Lambeau Field snow for their last playoff win.
Brace for Garoppolo-Lance daily stat updates if the 49ers allow for a camp competition – and all the distraction that comes with it. That follows a summer in which Garoppolo rehabbed behind the scenes. Lance not only was QB1 at 49ers HQ but also did extensive work with 49ers’ receivers in Southern California private workouts, including one this week in which Brandon Aiyuk mocked recent reports that Lance is prone to arm fatigue.
49ers clear QB Jimmy Garoppolo to practice and to seek trade, per report
Ron Schwane
Before reminding you which teams made quarterback moves that blocked Garoppolo’s path to them, some still could find him handy:
Cleveland Browns: Deshaun Watson’s potential suspension could expedite their need to bring in Garoppolo to lead a similar, run-oriented offense under coach Kevin Stefanski. This is a quarterback graveyard, however.
New York Giants: Garoppolo is 4-0 vs. the NFC East in his career, and he could be a savvy find if new coach Brian Daboll ends the Daniel Jones experiment. Daboll was a New England Patriots assistant in Garoppolo’s first three NFL seasons there.
Houston Texans: All due respect to Stanford product Davis Mills but Garoppolo’s veteran presence might be more coveted for a youth-laden roster under Lovie Smith. The Texans’ chaotic state (of their franchise) should scare off Garoppolo, who met the Houston humidity in 2018 training camp there.
Seattle Seahawks: This just doesn’t seem likely, at least not via an in-division trade. But Geno Smith and Drew Lock don’t inspire confidence as long-term caretakers. Maybe the Seahawks just want a gap-year option before they return to contention in 2023.
Other spots that wouldn’t be shocking: the Detroit Lions, the New England Patriots or the Philadelphia Eagles.
Ron Schwane
Before reminding you which teams made quarterback moves that blocked Garoppolo’s path to them, some still could find him handy:
Cleveland Browns: Deshaun Watson’s potential suspension could expedite their need to bring in Garoppolo to lead a similar, run-oriented offense under coach Kevin Stefanski. This is a quarterback graveyard, however.
New York Giants: Garoppolo is 4-0 vs. the NFC East in his career, and he could be a savvy find if new coach Brian Daboll ends the Daniel Jones experiment. Daboll was a New England Patriots assistant in Garoppolo’s first three NFL seasons there.
Houston Texans: All due respect to Stanford product Davis Mills but Garoppolo’s veteran presence might be more coveted for a youth-laden roster under Lovie Smith. The Texans’ chaotic state (of their franchise) should scare off Garoppolo, who met the Houston humidity in 2018 training camp there.
Seattle Seahawks: This just doesn’t seem likely, at least not via an in-division trade. But Geno Smith and Drew Lock don’t inspire confidence as long-term caretakers. Maybe the Seahawks just want a gap-year option before they return to contention in 2023.
Other spots that wouldn’t be shocking: the Detroit Lions, the New England Patriots or the Philadelphia Eagles.
49ers clear QB Jimmy Garoppolo to practice and to seek trade, per report
David Zalubowski
One injury could thrust any team into the Garoppolo market, such as in 2016 when the Vikings summoned Sam Bradford from the Eagles to replace Teddy Bridgewater, who got hurt a few days earlier.
While Garoppolo’s shoulder surgery kept some teams from pursuing him, the NFL’s quarterback carousel was at a whirlwind. Here are which teams looked elsewhere, for either a starter or a prime backup instead of Garoppolo:
Denver Broncos: Russell Wilson (Seahawks)
Indianapolis Colts: Matt Ryan (Falcons), Nick Foles (Bears)
New Orleans Saints: Jameis Winston (Saints), Andy Dalton (Bears)
Seattle Seahawks: Lock (Broncos), Smith (Seahawks)
Miami Dolphins: Bridgewater (Broncos)
New York Giants: Tyrod Taylor (Texans)
David Zalubowski
One injury could thrust any team into the Garoppolo market, such as in 2016 when the Vikings summoned Sam Bradford from the Eagles to replace Teddy Bridgewater, who got hurt a few days earlier.
While Garoppolo’s shoulder surgery kept some teams from pursuing him, the NFL’s quarterback carousel was at a whirlwind. Here are which teams looked elsewhere, for either a starter or a prime backup instead of Garoppolo:
Denver Broncos: Russell Wilson (Seahawks)
Indianapolis Colts: Matt Ryan (Falcons), Nick Foles (Bears)
49ers clear QB Jimmy Garoppolo to practice and to seek trade, per report
Jed Jacobsohn
The 49ers haven’t released Garoppolo yet, so why would they do so before camp, when his salary doesn’t become guaranteed until Week 1 in September? True, a $7.5 million injury guarantee could impact things.
But whatever distraction might come from having him around to compete or rehab would seem like familiar ground, that the 49ers already plowed last season with him and Lance working side by side.
The 49ers have $4.375 million in salary cap space, so keeping Garoppolo on the books is not prohibiting them from crafting an extension for Deebo Samuel (or Nick Bosa) if they creatively move guaranteed money into 2023. Perhaps Garoppolo would take a pay cut in hopes of reclaiming cash via incentives.
For those scoffing at a $24 million salary for a backup, indeed, that’s insanely bloated, but the 49ers can defend it by saying they’re committing $35 million of the cap to Garoppolo and Lance, not to mention another $2 million to would-be backup Nate Sudfeld. The Titans have a $39 million cap figure just for Ryan Tannehill and the Chiefs have a $36 million slot for Patrick Mahomes.
The 49ers’ brass, including ownership, remains fond of Garoppolo. Eventually he’ll be pushed out the door. If he wants to leave on his own recognizance publicly, they’d likely do that, if a market remains dry through camp, which is still two weeks from beginning.
What if Garoppolo, at age 30, wants to retire? He’s indicated otherwise, that he hopes to rebound from shoulder surgery for a long career. No one would blame him if he after building up credible career equity (over $110 million, a 37-16 starting record, two Super Bowl rings as Tom Brady’s backup). He could go lead a life of leisure and do endorsements (cue: Subway commercial line how “it’s a good thing he’s so handsome.”)
Or he could look to cash in on the NFL’s never-ending financial boom, where the rich can get richer, whoever employs them.
Jed Jacobsohn
The 49ers haven’t released Garoppolo yet, so why would they do so before camp, when his salary doesn’t become guaranteed until Week 1 in September? True, a $7.5 million injury guarantee could impact things.
But whatever distraction might come from having him around to compete or rehab would seem like familiar ground, that the 49ers already plowed last season with him and Lance working side by side.
The 49ers have $4.375 million in salary cap space, so keeping Garoppolo on the books is not prohibiting them from crafting an extension for Deebo Samuel (or Nick Bosa) if they creatively move guaranteed money into 2023. Perhaps Garoppolo would take a pay cut in hopes of reclaiming cash via incentives.
For those scoffing at a $24 million salary for a backup, indeed, that’s insanely bloated, but the 49ers can defend it by saying they’re committing $35 million of the cap to Garoppolo and Lance, not to mention another $2 million to would-be backup Nate Sudfeld. The Titans have a $39 million cap figure just for Ryan Tannehill and the Chiefs have a $36 million slot for Patrick Mahomes.
The 49ers’ brass, including ownership, remains fond of Garoppolo. Eventually he’ll be pushed out the door. If he wants to leave on his own recognizance publicly, they’d likely do that, if a market remains dry through camp, which is still two weeks from beginning.
What if Garoppolo, at age 30, wants to retire? He’s indicated otherwise, that he hopes to rebound from shoulder surgery for a long career. No one would blame him if he after building up credible career equity (over $110 million, a 37-16 starting record, two Super Bowl rings as Tom Brady’s backup). He could go lead a life of leisure and do endorsements (cue: Subway commercial line how “it’s a good thing he’s so handsome.”)
Or he could look to cash in on the NFL’s never-ending financial boom, where the rich can get richer, whoever employs them.
Seahawks release RB Chris Carson as he is reportedly set to retire at age 27
Jeff Chiu
The San Francisco 49ers made it clear Trey Lance will be the starting quarterback and they’re moving on from Jimmy Garoppolo, who led them to a Super Bowl appearance following the 2019 season and nearly another one last season. The Niners have to trade or release Garoppolo before Week 1 to avoid having his $24.2 million base salary become fully guaranteed. Garoppolo would’ve been moved already if it weren’t for his offseason shoulder surgery.
“This is Trey’s team. That’s nothing against Jimmy,” 49ers coach Mike Shanahan said. “We made that decision a year ago and we’re not going to mess around with that anymore. ... Jimmy understands that fully. He’s a big guy and it’s nothing against him. It’s a business decision.”
Jeff Chiu
The San Francisco 49ers made it clear Trey Lance will be the starting quarterback and they’re moving on from Jimmy Garoppolo, who led them to a Super Bowl appearance following the 2019 season and nearly another one last season. The Niners have to trade or release Garoppolo before Week 1 to avoid having his $24.2 million base salary become fully guaranteed. Garoppolo would’ve been moved already if it weren’t for his offseason shoulder surgery.
“This is Trey’s team. That’s nothing against Jimmy,” 49ers coach Mike Shanahan said. “We made that decision a year ago and we’re not going to mess around with that anymore. ... Jimmy understands that fully. He’s a big guy and it’s nothing against him. It’s a business decision.”
