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