Insiders: 49ers will start Trey Lance in 2023

Some have understandably wondered if the San Francisco 49ers could consider keeping Jimmy Garoppolo around beyond the current season if the 30-year-old plays well in place of Trey Lance, who suffered a season-ending ankle injury during San Francisco's 27-7 win over the Seattle Seahawks this past Sunday. However, ESPN insiders Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano both poured cold water over that idea for a piece published Wednesday. 

"I want to be clear: The only reason Garoppolo is still on the team is because the 49ers couldn't trade him. The only reason," Graziano said. 

Reports earlier this week revealed that some within both the Los Angeles Rams and 49ers believe the 2022 Niners will be better off with Garoppolo as their starting quarterback over the injured second-year pro Lance. Fox Sports personality Colin Cowherd and former New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman are among those who have offered similar takes. 

49ers general manager John Lynch hasn't been shy about the fact that he shopped Garoppolo until it was reported in March that Jimmy G. needed surgery on his right throwing shoulder. No team traded for Garoppolo before he agreed to a restructured contract to stay with San Francisco in late August. 

"They did not make a conscious decision to keep Garoppolo around in case something happened to Trey Lance. They made a decision not to release him once he agreed to a massive pay cut," Graziano continued. "They wanted him out, he wanted out, and ultimately they agreed to make the best of a difficult situation. He got a no-franchise clause in his contract, which means the 49ers can't bring him back in 2023 if he doesn't want to come back. They believe Lance is their future, and they're disappointed they have to wait until next year to get to it. But they do still plan to get to it."

Meanwhile, Fowler pointed out that Garoppolo is essentially auditioning for other teams through the fall. 

"This seems pretty clear-cut: If Garoppolo plays well, there should be a starter's job waiting for him somewhere. As one AFC executive told me this week, he's not great, but he's better than some of these other dudes starting games right now," Fowler added. "Part of the reason the 49ers were ready to move on from Garoppolo is because they believe the offense can be more explosive with Lance, who's under contract on a major discount in 2023 and 2024 at around $9 million of combined salary. San Francisco would be foolish not to use that advantage."

While Lance completed only 15-of-31 throws for 194 yards with no touchdowns and an interception this season before his injury, he added 67 rushing yards on 16 carries and should be much more elusive than Garoppolo next summer if he recovers from his ankle-related setback as expected. 

Still, Garoppolo has already started two conference championship games and a Super Bowl during his 49ers tenure, and one can't help but ask if he can do anything to give individuals such as Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan second thoughts about the sport's most important position between now and early February.