49ers source: 'Trey Lance is our quarterback'

The San Francisco 49ers have gone from teasing that veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo could maybe hang around and even compete with 2021 rookie Trey Lance for the starting job this summer to making it known they're ready to take a big step into their future. 

It was reported Wednesday that the 49ers have permitted Garoppolo's agents to seek a trade for their client. The Cleveland Browns reportedly won't pursue Jimmy G. regardless of the status of starting signal-caller Deshaun Watson. For the Thursday morning edition of ESPN's "Get Up" program, league insider Dianna Russini explained she recently asked a 49ers source about the club's quarterback situation heading into training camp sessions that get underway next week. 

"This source wrote back, 'What else do I need to say to you to make it clear that Trey Lance is our quarterback?'" Russini remarked, per David Bonilla of 49ers WebZone. "I was sensing a little bit of frustration with me with all my questioning.

"But I think the point, though, he (the source) said, 'They are moving on.' They want to trade Jimmy Garoppolo. ... His agent has been doing work behind the scenes for weeks." 

Russini continued: 

"(Lance) does not need a quarterback like Jimmy G, who is beloved in San Francisco and loved by his teammates and has won, sitting on his shoulder here. ... From the conversations I've had around the league, it seems that once a team becomes desperate enough—an injury, a quarterback isn't performing—that's when Jimmy will probably get moved."

Garoppolo is recovering from March shoulder surgery and has reportedly been cleared to start practicing. It remains to be seen if the Niners will have to showcase the 30-year-old in August preseason games to put him on display for would-be buyers.