The San Francisco 49ers either are saying exactly what they’re supposed to say, or they’re really not going to trade quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
Garoppolo has found himself in trade rumors for much of the offseason, and especially over the last week, after the 49ers traded for the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
It’s been widely speculated — and for good reason — that last week’s blockbuster with the Miami Dolphins means the 49ers will draft a signal-caller next month and thus part ways with the 29-year-old veteran.
Well, both Niners general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan shot down the idea during a press conference Monday. Instead, they were transparent in saying how their plan is to keep both QBs.
“We felt like we had a team that can compete,” Lynch told reporters, per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. “We went to ownership, said ‘Hey things are looking good, we want to make this (trade), but we don’t want to say goodbye to Jimmy.’ “
Lynch acknowledged, per Breer, how ownership signed off on both drafting a quarterback — perhaps Mac Jones? — and keeping Garoppolo.
Shanahan also expressed how the team is planning to keep Garoppolo unless they’re blown away by a trade offer, as noted by ESPN 49ers reporter Nick Wagoner.
Shanahan specifically cited the Alex Smith-Patrick Mahomes example from the Kansas City Chiefs a few years back and explained how he believes Garoppolo gives the team the best chance to win now, while a rookie quarterback simultaneously could learn behind the veteran.
We’ll see if the plan the 49ers seemingly want to happen is what does, in fact, happen.
