By now, most have heard about Jimmy Garoppolo's offseason vanishing acts. Tight end George Kittle has called him the "worst texter of all time," saying that even he has difficulty getting a hold of the San Francisco 49ers quarterback outside of team-organized activities.
Garoppolo typically becomes a ghost for much of the early portion of the offseason. That reportedly took the 49ers by surprise after the quarterback signed his five-year mega-deal with the team in February of 2018.
"Once he left that press conference, nobody heard from him for weeks and weeks," one member of that coaching staff told Michael Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle. "He didn't return calls, he didn't return texts — he basically just vanished. And we were looking at each other going, 'What just happened?'"
Then you have Garoppolo blindsiding the 49ers this offseason with the decision to undergo shoulder surgery, throwing a wrench into the team's trade plans and conversations.
Second-year quarterback Trey Lance has been the opposite. He has shared training videos and worked hard this offseason with teammates like wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk to prepare for his first season as a full-time starting NFL quarterback.
So far, there have been no questions surrounding Lance's work ethic. Instead, everyone has indicated that the 22-year-old is a first-one-in-and-last-one-out type of player.
As for Garoppolo, the report doesn't really matter at this point. It's just an interesting anecdote as we prepare for the start of the preseason. The quarterback is not expected to be with the 49ers much longer, with the team still clinging to hope that a trade partner will materialize before the start of the regular season.
Even if a team is interested in dealing for the veteran quarterback, unless the contract is reworked, there is only one year remaining on the deal. Garoppolo would certainly work his tail off for a new team, given how late in the offseason a potential trade might happen. After this season, he would become a free agent anyway. Again, unless the contract is reworked and years are added. However, Garoppolo might be seen more as a short-term solution for a potential buyer like, oh, let's say, the Cleveland Browns.
Lance, the 49ers' quarterback of the future, will showcase his progress on Friday night in the 49ers' first preseason game, a matchup against the Green Bay Packers at Levi's Stadium.
