49ers keeping Garoppolo, Lance another season a possibility

San Francisco 49ers quarterbacks Trey Lance (5) and Jimmy Garoppolo (10) Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

49ers keeping Jimmy Garoppolo, Trey Lance another season a possibility

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 2/1/22

Back in May , San Francisco 49ers CEO Jed York first teased the idea that rookie quarterback Trey Lance could sit behind veteran Jimmy Garoppolo past the 2021 NFL season depending on all that occurred from September through February. Garoppolo remained atop the depth chart, minus times he was injured, for a playoff run that ended with Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship Game, and most assume he'll be traded to a different team this offseason so Lance can enter the summer as San Francisco's undisputed starter.

According to The Athletic's David Lombardi, however, San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters Tuesday he and general manager John Lynch haven't yet made a final decision about the club's quarterback situation.

Lynch says he sat down with Jimmy Garoppolo and expressed admiration for his play and toughness this season. All the 49ers commit to, for now, is "communicating in a straightforward manner" moving forward.

Shanahan: "If we knew exactly what was happening, we'd have told Jimmy."
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) February 1, 2022

Shanahan has indicated more than once that keeping both Jimmy Garoppolo (while lauding his play) and Trey Lance for 2022 remains a possibility. "There's a lot of good options there. A lot of cards are on the table."
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) February 1, 2022

Shanahan points out that Trey Lance had never executed a 7-step drop back, frequently used for play-action, until this season. An example of Lance's rawness entering this season and why the 49ers were so happy that he could undergo his initial development on the scout team
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) February 1, 2022

One possible explanation for Shanahan's comments is that the 49ers know they can't officially trade Garoppolo until the new NFL year opens next month and after the 30-year-old undergoes surgery. Garoppolo played through a torn ligament and a chipped bone in his right (throwing) thumb from Week 18 through Sunday's defeat, and it's assumed a franchise will want to examine that repaired digit in-person before finalizing a transaction for his services.

Per reports, Garoppolo will need four to six weeks to recover from that procedure.

As for Lance, he ended his debut campaign with 41 completions on 71 attempts (57.7%) for 603 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions. He also contributed 168 rushing yards and a score on 38 carries.

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