Insider: Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers have 'mutual understanding' they'll part ways before season

Publicly, individuals associated with the San Francisco 49ers continue to suggest that veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and his $24.2 million base salary for 2022 could remain attached to the organization into the regular season once that money is due to become guaranteed even though 2021 rookie Trey Lance is now cemented atop the club's depth chart at the position. 

49ers CEO Jed York said before this past weekend that "you can’t have enough good quarterbacks and good football players" and also that "we’re happy to keep Jimmy." Meanwhile, San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters Tuesday that "any scenario is possible" as it pertains to Garoppolo's status for the regular-season opener at the Chicago Bears on Sept. 11. 

Not everyone is buying what York and Shanahan have tried to sell. 

Per Rohan Chakravarthi of 49ers WebZone, team insider Cam Inman told the "Damon and Ratto" show that airs on San Francisco sports radio station 95.7 The Game that Garoppolo has no future with the club past the preseason regardless of what's been said by others. 

"The page has been turned. It's been turned for months," Inman explained about Garoppolo possibly staying with the 49ers. "There are no signals whatsoever that they would consider doing that. I understand what you're saying."

Inman added that both Garoppolo and the 49ers are keen on embracing fresh starts and soon. 

"They have a mutual understanding that he's just biding his time now before they either release him or in case [an opportunity opens, presumably due to injury]," Inman continued during the segment. 

It's been reported that the Seattle Seahawks would take a flier on Garoppolo whenever he hits free agency so they can start him ahead of Geno Smith and Drew Lock at some point this fall. Seattle first faces the 49ers during the upcoming season at San Francisco's Levi's Stadium in Week 2 on Sept. 18. 

The NFC West rivals later meet in Week 15 on Dec. 15.