Since last year, the expectation has been that the San Francisco 49ers would hold onto quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo for one season before transitioning to the No. 3 overall pick, Trey Lance. Some questioned the timeline of the transition, but internally, the plan has seemingly always been to have Lance take over in 2022.
Here we are, waiting for the initial offseason dominos to fall. The 49ers' entire offseason plan awaits a resolution at quarterback.
Some have questioned whether the 49ers need to trade Garoppolo this offseason. Yes, it makes financial sense to clear his hefty salary-cap figure, ensuring others, like Nick Bosa and Deebo Samuel, remain with the team for the foreseeable future. It's also necessary for San Francisco to secure new talent and stay competitive within the NFC.
Then some doubt Lance's readiness to lead head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense.
"Let's also remember, Trey Lance is 21 years old," Tom Pelissero told Mike Garafolo Friday on NFL Network. "The 49ers loved his physical attributes, his make-up. He picked up the offense well a year ago. But he got hurt twice when he did get on the field, and he's still not really accurate with the football.
"Now, you couple that with the fact that they're going through a major staff turnover. Their offensive coordinator, Mike McDaniel, gone to become the Miami Dolphins head coach. Their quarterbacks coach, Rich Scangarello, gone today to become the University of Kentucky's offensive coordinator.
"There are a couple of other assistants gone on that side of the ball as well. That's a lot of transition, Mike, at a time when the 49ers are preparing for a big transition at the most important position."
While keeping Garoppolo another season does make sense in some ways, it makes more sense to transition away from the veteran quarterback now. That's what Garafolo believes will happen, and it could happen next week at the NFL Scouting Combine.
"Everything happening for the prospects, that's also where a lot of league business is going to be conducted," Garafolo added. "So, I would expect those conversations to really take hold there. It could also be pushed toward the draft. It doesn't have to necessarily happen at the start of the league year."
