Jimmy Garoppolo's days with the San Francisco 49ers may be numbered. He will likely remain with the team through the 2021 season. However, after drafting Trey Lance of North Dakota State with the No. 3 overall pick, it is clear that a change is on the horizon for the Niners.
While most felt that might create an awkward situation in the quarterback room, Garoppolo has made the best of it. In fact, Garoppolo was the first 49ers player who reached out to Lance after the incoming rookie heard his name called in Cleveland, Ohio.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch spoke to the media on Friday night after the team was done making its Day 2 picks. They were asked if they spoke with Garoppolo after selecting Lance. Obviously, the quarterback knew the situation. Over a month ago, his team traded a haul of draft capital to move up.
"Jimmy knew what the deal was," Shanahan said. "We have Zoom meetings every day. I got to see him on Zoom earlier in that day, and we had meetings and stuff. Jimmy's been great. He reached out to [Football Communications Senior Manager Mike Chasanoff] right away. He got Trey's number. They connected.
"Jimmy is taking it as a business approach, but I think he's excited, for right now, just talking to him, and he's ready to come here, get back to being healthy, and playing with our team. And if we have him compete, I know he's ready to compete."
Shanahan and Lynch have tried to be as open as possible with Garoppolo throughout the entire process, assuring the quarterback that he remains in their plans for at least the upcoming season.
"I would just add, with Jimmy, I think what Kyle and I always try to do is not wait until something happens," Lynch said. "I think communicate beforehand (is important). And so, that's what we've done with Jimmy. It's been a really good communication.
"I think one thing that was really heartwarming, to me, I heard last night from [Chasanoff] that Jimmy reached out. Trey was here today, and Trey told us that the first text he got was from Jimmy Garoppolo. So, that's pretty special, and I think it speaks to his class."
The duo was asked about another quarterback — Nick Mullens. He seemingly said his goodbyes this week via Instagram. Mullens underwent successful elbow surgery in late December and is spending the offseason recovering. He is a free agent.
"I haven't talked to Nick recently," Shanahan said. "He actually sent me a text earlier today, and I'm going to get back to him soon. But Nick's a stud. I love Nick. He helped us out a ton here. Nick had a real tough injury that he's working through to come back from, and I think he'll be healed up around camp. That's why he's out there as a free agent, and we'll see what happens to him.
"But I know Nick was thrown into a tough situation for us last year that he didn't play his best, but we didn't help him around him either. Kind of like a lot of our team last year. But I have the utmost respect for Nick, and once he gets healthy, I believe he'll get a shot somewhere."
Lastly, Lynch and Shanahan were asked about another free agent — Richard Sherman. On Friday, the veteran cornerback said that he doesn't expect any movement from potentially interested teams to occur until after the draft. Sherman also hasn't ruled out a return to the 49ers.
"You never count Sherm out," Lynch said. "Sherm, he was a big part of this culture here. A tremendous leader. I think Kyle and I both consider him a friend. And like I said, you never count him out.
"We haven't really been in communication. We do text from time to time. Nothing about football. Like I said, as long as he wants to play -- I think Sherm's being patient and kind of waiting it out for the right situation, and we'll see where that goes."
Added Shanahan: "I know Sherm's probably going to want to go to a contender, just knowing him and how competitive he is. He'll sit back, and be smart, and make the right decision for himself, but when you've got a guy that you trust and care about, and we also know how competitive he is, I know we would never rule him out."
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