49ers' Arik Armstead defends Jimmy Garoppolo, expects 'great things from' Trey Lance

While nothing is for sure as of the opening day of summer, it's widely expected the San Francisco 49ers will eventually trade or even cut veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo so that 2021 rookie Trey Lance can be named the club's new full-time starter ahead of Week 1 in September. 

Garoppolo helped the 49ers make a Super Bowl appearance and, most recently, reach the NFC Championship Game this past January during his San Francisco tenure, but the 30-year-old has also routinely been named as arguably the biggest reason the club failed to win a title. Per David Bonilla of 49ers WebZone, star defensive lineman Arik Armstead defended Jimmy G during a Tuesday appearance on "The Jim Rome Show." 

"I think we've been close to the top of the mountain sometimes," Armstead explained. "I feel that, obviously, when you don't win the Super Bowl, then people start pointing fingers and questioning why. Sometimes it's really not too many reasons. Not everyone can win each year. ... The quarterback position is obviously important, so he becomes the number one prime suspect of why we can't get over the hump.

"Is it fair? I would say, 'No, not fair.' I think Jimmy's a great quarterback, and like I said, I was part of a lot of losing seasons before he joined our team, and he brought a sense of a new refound energy at that position to help us win. I think he's obviously proven he's a phenomenal quarterback and can win games."

Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk told reporters last week the 49ers "have a special quarterback" in Lance, who served as the team's QB1 from organized team activities through mandatory minicamp while Garoppolo continued his recovery from March shoulder surgery. Armstead echoed Aiyuk's take on Tuesday. 

"I'm really excited [about Lance]," Armstead remarked. "I love what I saw out of him in OTAs, even if it was a lot of 7-on-7. Only time will tell, but I think he has the right demeanor. He has an extremely high ceiling and an amazing skill set to be successful. I think he goes about things the right way. And I think when you have that combination, it usually turns into a [premium] player.

"I'm expecting great things from him. I'm excited to see what he's going to do, but he's not alone when he takes the field. Our team is very talented, and it's not just 'The Trey Lance Show.' He's surrounded by a lot of talented, great players, and we're all going to go out there and do what we can to help us win games. It's not just going to be on his shoulders."

Garoppolo has repeatedly been linked with the Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks in rumors and reports, but it's thought would-be buyers are waiting to see if San Francisco will release him before training-camp sessions begin in late July.