Jimmy Garoppolo gave the San Francisco 49ers reasons to be safe at quarterback for many years. But eventually, Kyle Shanahan decided it was time for Trey Lance, who was drafted third overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.
On top of that, Brock Purdy emerged as another great option for the Niners last year. Jimmy G was expected to leave last year, but ended up agreeing on a restructured deal after the team couldnāt find a trade partner.
He even got to start after Lanceās injury, but Shanahan made it clear he didnāt āsee a scenarioā where Garoppolo would be back in the Bay area in 2023. However, the coach still has a lot of respect for the veteran signal-caller.
Kyle Shanahan says Jimmy Garoppolo was the 49ers best QB since Steve Young
āI think Jimmy [Garoppolo] was unbelievable for us,ā Shanahan said, via NBC Sportsā Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports. āHe won lots of games. I think that was a simple question. Is there a scenario where heāll be back here next year and I gave a common sense answer ā āNo.ā I think that was a little overblown, on trying to be a shot at him or anything. We knew he wasnāt going to be coming back from his standpoint or ours, financially and everything.
āI think he was the best quarterback here in about 20 years in Steve Young. Has an unbelievable record and every time he played and stayed healthy we were in the Super Bowl or the NFC Championship game.ā
see also
Jimmy Garoppolo reveals true feelings about 49ers drafting Trey Lance in 2021
Shanahan was honest about the teamās future, which is being built around two young quarterbacks like Lance and Purdy. Now they also have Sam Darnold on the roster, while Garoppolo is preparing to be the Las Vegas Raidersā QB1.
