By the way, each of those games was on the road, including the frigid matchup this past weekend at Lambeau Field.
Garoppolo's teammates believe in him. His coaches obviously believe in him. Kyle Shanahan has stuck with the veteran passer, despite having the No. 3 overall pick, Trey Lance, on deck, awaiting his opportunity.
That opportunity will come—just probably not this season. Most still expect the 49ers to transition from Garoppolo to Lance during the offseason. Garoppolo, however, is doing everything in his power to delay that transition by winning playoff games.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport doesn't believe Garoppolo has done anything in recent weeks to change the 49ers' plan for after the season. Lance only started two games this season because of injuries to Garoppolo. He'll likely be the full-time starter in September.
"I hate to sound like a broken record, but I kind of see it to where it was," Rapoport said Monday of the 49ers' quarterback situation on KNBR's Murph & Mac show. "Unless I'm missing something, I haven't seen anything that has changed where this is all going, which is with Trey Lance eventually being the franchise guy. Garoppolo is the starter now, and I would say not everything goes according to plan in life, in football, in everything, but this kind of has been the 49ers' plan."
That plan was to find Garoppolo's successor. Check. Then let that rookie sit and learn as Garoppolo led what they felt was a playoff-caliber roster. Check.
Everything has worked out as planned, despite the outside noise from those pressuring the organization to transition from the veteran to the exciting rookie sooner.
"Remember, they thought, before the season, they had a playoff-ready roster and that Garoppolo was the best person to get them to the playoffs," Rapoport said. "That happened. He is the best person to be in the playoffs with them. This has happened. And then, after the season, I would imagine they take a hard long look at it and say, 'Has Jimmy Garoppolo done anything to change our mind that Trey Lance is the future starter?'
"My guess is the answer is, 'No,' but it's OK because everyone's going to be fine. Garoppolo, assuming they go through with a trade, is going to end up great. He's going to make some money. Trey Lance is going to be great. He'll be the starter at some point. And then everybody will move forward, and that's a pretty good transition if you ask me."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Rapoport below.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
Rapoport expects 49ers-Brandon Aiyuk drama to drag on through the summer
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk raised eyebrows over the weekend with a series of social media posts, including a photo of himself wearing a Washington Commanders hat and a video that appeared to take aim at his current team. Aiyuk clearly would love to be... -
Dez Bryant: Arrest warrant for 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk an attempt to 'smear his name'
An arrest warrant has been issued for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk on a misdemeanor charge of exhibition of speed after he posted a video in December showing himself driving at speeds exceeding 100 mph near Levi's Stadium. The incident occurred during a... -
49ers' Mac Jones has no regrets about his contract decision
Mac Jones could have positioned himself for a sizable payday this offseason had he signed a one-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers instead of the two-year contract he agreed to last year. After spending a season under head coach Kyle Shanahan, however, the veteran... -
49ers facing harsh reality as NFL execs label Brandon Aiyuk 'untradeable'
There appears to be no trade market for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, despite the team's hope that interest could eventually develop. With rival teams believing the 49ers will ultimately release the disgruntled receiver, there is little incentive to surrender...