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The 49ers have had a quarterback controversy since they traded three first-round picks on March 29th to the Miami Dolphins for the pick eventually used to select
Trey Lance.
Seven weeks into the NFL season, that controversy has only intensified, as San Francisco fell at home to the Indianapolis Colts 30-18 in a disappointing outing that left the team with even more questions than answers, especially at quarterback.
For the first time all year,
Kyle Shanahan was somewhat hesitant when naming his starting quarterback, expressing uncertainty for Week 8 following the Sunday-night beatdown by the Colts.
"Jimmy was able to come back and play, and we'll see if Trey can next week. Still not sure [for Week 8], but I've got a lot of things to figure out."
While he reiterated that Jimmy Garoppolo would start Week 8 against the Chicago Bears on Monday, it will be interesting to see how the quarterback situation unfolds as the season progresses.
49ers legend Joe Staley went on to KNBR Monday and discussed how the original gameplan with the quarterback room might change, given the expectations and reality with how the season's gone so far.
"Coming into the year, I understood the game plan, from what the Niners were talking about," Staley said. "This is a team that they expected to compete, they expected to be a playoff football team, and use it as a red-shirt year for Trey, and that development. And that's all predicated on the team's success and Jimmy playing well."
But, with the team facing numerous injuries and having a 2-4 record, Staley thinks that, with Lance being the future of the 49ers franchise, the team should ride with the ups-and-downs of the rookie quarterback to prepare for 2022.
"Well, [Garoppolo's] not [playing well] right now," Staley continued. "They're a 2-4 football team, and I don't know if they have a direction or even a chance, as it stands right now, to be that playoff team. So, for me, it's like, if this the point of the season where you say, 'Alright, we already made our choice that Trey's going to be the future of this franchise. We wanted to use it as a red-shirt year for him,' and I don't know if that's going to be the best case right now because there's not a spark on offense. There's not even consistency.
"From my point of view, I think they have to think long and hard about just going to Trey, using it, taking the lumps, knowing that he's going to be the future of this team. You take the lumps right now, as opposed to someone who is eventually going to be gone, and then that way, you're building towards the future. And then when you get to 2022, it's not just starting over from scratch and then taking those lumps as they come."
Now, will the 49ers actually change course to that? Week 8 could be very telling in reaching that conclusion, with Jimmy Garoppolo taking the reins once more against the Bears.
Lance is set to return to practice on Wednesday after missing the last two weeks with a knee sprain, per Kyle Shanahan, but could be limited and not ready to play if there are any setbacks.
49ers fans, do you believe it should be Garoppolo or Lance moving forward? Leave a comment below.
After last season, Brian Griese took some time to reflect on his first season as a quarterbacks coach for the San Francisco 49ers. He left a 13-season career as a television analyst to join head coach Kyle Shanahan's staff.
Ultimately, the coach decided that the job was fulfilling and opted to return for another season.
"This is an opportunity for me to embrace a new challenge in my life at this point in the journey, and I really appreciate that," Griese told reporters on Thursday. "I appreciate the opportunity. I think there are some experiences and unique skill sets that I have that can help, and I just love being a part of a team and competing and winning and
San Francisco 49ers offensive line/run game coordinator Chris Foerster and special teams coordinator Brian Schneider spoke with reporters after Wednesday's practice, the sixth of organized team activities (OTAs). Here is everything they had to say.
Transcript provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications staff.
Offensive Line Coach/Run Game Coordinator Chris Foerster
Obviously, you had a big change at right tackle with Denver Broncos T Mike McGlinchey leaving this off season, what is your confidence level in OL Colton McKivitz and where does that kind of stem from?
"Colton, he's done a great job for us through the years he's been here. He's always had to fill in short spells and has done a good job for
Drake Jackson looks better prepared for his sophomore NFL season, both physically and mentally. The San Francisco 49ers defensive end spoke with reporters this week, and reports of his added bulk were visually confirmed. He estimates he has gained about 13 pounds since last season, and the work continues.
His defensive line coach, Kris Kocurek, believes the added weight and better preparation will help Jackson last through the rigors of an NFL season. The coach has seen "significant strength gain" in his young defender.
Jackson was inactive for six of the 49ers' final eight games last season, including each of the team's three playoff contests. Being forced to watch from
What happens if Sam Darnold beats out Trey Lance? We're answering this question and others in this week's edition of the 49ers Webzone Mailbag.
It's week two of OTAs, and the 49ers will have a session open to the media on Wednesday. It may even be happening as you're reading this. And Brock Purdy is believed to start throwing a ball this week (though probably not a regular football).
But for now, ignore those reports, and let's jump into our latest mailbag and answer your questions.
Who's starting on Opening Day at FS? - Chris W.
The 49ers re-signed veteran free safety Tashaun Gipson to a one-year deal and drafted Penn State safety Ji'Ayir Brown back in April. Brown is the future starting free safety. That future is most likely to
