Jimmy Garoppolo remains in the San Francisco 49ers' plans for at least the upcoming season. The team was part of a draft-altering trade that moved it up from No. 12 overall to the No. 3 pick. It's clear that San Francisco is targeting a quarterback with the move. It could mean the 49ers are comfortable drafting one and then having him sit behind Garoppolo for at least a season while he learns the offense.
NFL Network's Steve Wyche spoke with general manager John Lynch at BYU's pro day today to get some insight into San Francisco's plans now that they are situated to select one of the top quarterback prospects in next month's draft.
Coincidentally, Lynch got a good look at former BYU quarterback Zack Wilson today. However, he is expected to be selected No. 2 overall by the New York Jets—unless the 49ers know something we don't. Jets head coach Robert Saleh, after all, is San Francisco's former defensive coordinator.
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"Speaking with 49ers general manager John Lynch, he didn't come right out and say that they moved to No. 3 to draft a quarterback, but he didn't have to," Wyche said on NFL Network's Total Access. "The first thing he said to me was, 'Once we made the trade, we immediately called our starting quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo, to let him know exactly what was going on.'
"Now, as of now, Lynch said that Garoppolo is very much in the team plans and that the rookie quarterback that they draft could learn under Garoppolo.
"But then I said to him, 'Look, though, as we get closer to the draft, and if a team calls, would you entertain that?' He said, 'Absolutely.' And he added that a lot of teams have already been circling, which is why they made this move—to get their quarterback for the future. Whether that future is 2021 or beyond remains to be seen."
One of the teams that may be interested in Garoppolo is New England. The Patriots reportedly inquired about the Niner quarterback's availability before re-signing Cam Newton earlier this month. Most feel that the Patriots remain interested in Garoppolo even after the signing.
At the time, the 49ers told the Patriots they had no intent to trade Garoppolo. Obviously, circumstances have changed.