Much of the San Francisco 49ers' salary cap is tied up in their quarterback room. The team is pushing forward with last year's No. 3 overall pick, Trey Lance, as the starter. The starter of the past four-and-a-half seasons, Jimmy Garoppolo, remains on the roster, though. That's because the 49ers can't find a trade partner for the quarterback with a 33-14 record as a starter.
Last year, 49ers CEO Jed York said he was willing to hold onto both Garoppolo and Lance after the team drafted the latter. They did, and San Francisco reached the NFC Championship Game for the second time in three years with Garoppolo at the helm.
As the 49ers continue to hope a trade suitor will emerge before Week 1, York insists the team is willing to hold onto Garoppolo, if it comes down to that.
"I've said this before: You can't have enough good quarterbacks and good football players," York told Tim Kawakami of The Athletic on The TK Show podcast.
The 49ers CEO added that he would not get into roster decisions. He trusts and supports head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch, who are in charge of such decisions.
"I watched it with Joe (Montana) and Steve (Young)—and I realize that the salary cap is different today than having no salary cap—but we've said it before. We're happy to keep Jimmy. We're happy to have him on the roster. And if that's the case, then that's the case."
No one actually believes that will happen. Should no suitors miraculously materialize, most believe the 49ers will release Garoppolo, probably waiting as close to the deadline as possible. Garoppolo would be able to sign with anyone. If the quarterback catches on with a team like the division-rival Seattle Seahawks, that would at least limit the time he has to prepare with the team. The 49ers will host the Seahawks—and possibly Garoppolo—in Week 2.
While York may be willing to pay for Garoppolo, Shanahan and Lynch may not be ready to keep the veteran quarterback. Garoppolo and his hefty salary remaining on the roster doesn't make much sense. In addition, he hasn't practiced with the team all offseason. Instead, he is building his throwing stamina on the side as he works his way back from his March 8 shoulder surgery. The two sides mutually agreed that not practicing was ideal. That suggests that neither the 49ers nor Garoppolo expects the marriage to continue.
