NFL teams are getting ready for the NFL Scouting Combine, preparing to study the most recent crop of draft prospects. San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch will speak to reporters from Indianapolis on Wednesday, March 2. If a move has not yet been made, one topic of discussion will almost certainly be the status of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who most expect to be traded this offseason.
Tim Kawakami of The Athletic recently predicted that the 49ers would deal Garoppolo away by the month's end. Now, the longtime writer believes the timeline to be in the next few weeks, with trade discussions heating up at the Combine. It would seem that the interest in the veteran quarterback hasn't been as strong as initially predicted.
"After hearing late this week from a league source that things haven't really heated up but are expected to soon," Kawakami wrote, "my new prediction is that the deal agreement will be finalized by the end of next week and will be reported soon after, though trades can't be officially announced until the start of the new league year on March 16."
Kawakami adds that no one expects the 49ers to hold onto Garoppolo for another season, and no NFL teams are taking recent reports that the team might do so seriously.
"The 49ers' executives will meet with interested teams at the combine," wrote Kawakami. "There are at least a few interested teams, I've heard, though I don't know specifically which ones they are."
Everyone knows what San Francisco gave up to acquire Trey Lance with last year's No. 3 overall pick, making it evident that the young quarterback is the likely Week 1 starter come September.
Kawakami noted, "What worked last season with Garoppolo as the starter and Trey Lance as the young backup only worked because everybody knew it was a one-year thing. It's not going to last longer than that."
The 49ers reportedly still plan to do right by Garoppolo, who stuck with the team through what could have been a very awkward situation, having Lance waiting in the wings and fighting through injuries during the team's playoff run. San Francisco hopes to send the quarterback to a good situation, seeking a deal that works well for all parties involved, including Garoppolo.
Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan vowed to be open with Garoppolo this offseason, keeping him in the loop regarding their intentions.
"I think it was special just to be able to sit down with Jimmy and let him know how appreciative we are as an organization of the way he handled everything," Lynch said at the 49ers end-of-season press conference, "the way he played, the toughness that he exhibited, and just to express my admiration for him and the way he handled everything this season and during his time with us. The commitment was just we're going to communicate as we always have, and we're going to be completely upfront and honest."
Kawakami believes that has been the case, and Garoppolo has "OK'd" the teams that have reached out so far.
Kawakami adds that the 49ers remain committed to Lance moving forward, and contrary to recent reports, the writer doesn't believe the team has reservations about the young quarterback's progress. It sounds like, sooner or later, Lance will be QB1 in Santa Clara.
Click here to read Kawakami's full feature over at The Athletic.