Jimmy Garoppolo enters training camp as the starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. However, the team made a move for the future this offseason with the selection of Trey Lance, indicating that the rookie, not Garoppolo, is the quarterback of the future.
The situation has changed significantly since the 49ers signed Garoppolo to a mega-deal following the 2017 season.
Still, for now, the job is Garoppolo's. And from the sound of reports coming out of Santa Clara this offseason and even today, as the 49ers held their first practice of training camp, Garoppolo has performed well and won't relinquish his job without a fight.
Garoppolo stepped up to the podium after practice and was asked about his relationship with Lance. The two were seen before today's practice joking around on the sideline without a trace of any awkwardness.
"Me and Trey, we've had a good relationship," Garoppolo responded. "We really have. It's sort of one of those things. It is what it is. This business is weird, but at the end of the day, we're in that locker room; we're around each other so much that it's just business."
Garoppolo noted that he remembers being in a similar situation with the New England Patriots. Although, the roles were reversed. Tom Brady was the starting quarterback there, and Garoppolo was seen as the future Hall of Famer's successor.
"At the end of the day, it's football," Garoppolo said. "You've just got to go out there and enjoy it. It's not going to be around forever, so enjoy it while you can."
Garoppolo has welcomed Lance with open arms since the 49ers drafted the rookie in April. The veteran was the first player to welcome Lance to the team via a text message on draft night. Garoppolo plans to help the 21-year-old any way he can, even serving as a mentor, all while knowing that Lance will one day replace him.
"It's not like I would ever hold something away from him, I-don't-want-to-tell-him-this type of thing," Garoppolo shared. "It's just, when you let [the relationship] happen organically, and that's what kind of we've done, I think that's when it's most natural, and you can really build a normal relationship between two people.
"I don't want to draw a line anywhere or anything like that, but anything he needs, I'm willing to help him. I think Nate (Sudfeld) and Josh (Rosen) are the same way. We've got a good room right now [with] the QBs. It's fun to be around."
Does Lance's presence serve as further motivation for Garoppolo?
Said Garoppolo: "I've been around a little while ... if you don't push yourself, then you've got no chance in this game. If you rely on outside forces to motivate you, it's going to be tough. But at the end of the day, I'm as motivated as it gets."