Today's biggest storylines out of Santa Clara surrounded the quarterback position. Jimmy Garoppolo returned to the practice field for the first time since last season's playoffs. Then the two quarterbacks at the top of the San Francisco 49ers depth chart, including starter Trey Lance, spoke with reporters.
Garoppolo discussed his shoulder surgery and return to the team on a restructured one-year deal. Lance addressed the perception of awkwardness resulting from Garoppolo's return, saying that he welcomes the former starting quarterback's presence and support.
There were other 49ers-related tidbits from around the NFL world, which I have gathered below.
Trey Sermon lands in Philly
The Philadelphia Eagles claimed former 49ers running back Trey Sermon off waivers. San Francisco waived Sermon yesterday, hoping to add the second-year player to its practice squad. That won't happen now.
Eagles have claimed RB Trey Sermon off of waivers. pic.twitter.com/PakOIzOvKQ
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) September 1, 2022
Sherman predicts 49ers Super Bowl win
Richard Sherman made his Super Bowl pick for the 2022 season—his former squad. No, not the Seattle Seahawks. They are a long shot to sniff the playoffs this year. The future Hall of Fame cornerback picks the 49ers to not only win the NFC West but to emerge as Super Bowl 57 champions, topping the Buffalo Bills.
"I got [the Bills] in the Super Bowl with the San Francisco 49ers," Sherman said this week on The Richard Sherman Podcast, per Eduardo Razo of NBC Sports Bay Area. "... I got San Francisco winning, Kyle Shanahan finally getting his Super Bowl that he's been needing, and send me my ring."
As for the NFC West, Sherman sees the 49ers continuing their dominant run—save one NFC Championship Game—against the Los Angeles Rams.
"San Francisco 49ers come out of that division, in my humble opinion," Sherman said. "Because the Rams are 1-6 against the San Francisco 49ers, and a dropped interception away from being 0-7 in the last seven meetings. That's going to be tough to overcome.
"They won the one they needed; they won the NFC Championship to the Super Bowl. If you can have any one, I'm sure both teams would have picked that one. I just don't see them beating [the 49ers] consistently this year because San Francisco arguably has gotten better."
Brandt believes trading Garoppolo still the 'end game'
Garoppolo new deal has a no-trade clause. Of course, all that means is that the quarterback has veto power over any trade. He essentially gets to choose his next team, should another organization comes calling before the trade deadline.
Garoppolo's salary reduction from $24.2 million to $6.5 million is a lot easier to swallow for any potentially interested team looking to add a veteran quarterback. Sports Illustrated columnist Andrew Brandt believes a trade will still happen.
"I think now he's got a much more palatable contract to trade, and I think he'll be traded," Brandt said on KNBR, per KNBR's Jake Montero. "The question is when and where? I mean, he may not get traded soon but he will be traded. That's the end game."
