"Any time anyone gets surgery, especially on their throwing shoulder, teams are going to be a little more nervous on what they want to offer and things like that," Shanahan told reporters during the NFL owners meetings in Palm Beach, Florida.
Garoppolo and his hefty salary remain on the 49ers roster, and Shanahan says they are fine with that. He says you can never have too many good quarterbacks, and the 49ers feel they have three good ones in Garoppolo, Trey Lance, and Nate Sudfeld.
Shanahan also admitted that Garoppolo remaining on the 49ers roster isn't unthinkable, especially if the trade interest in the veteran quarterback remains lukewarm—if it's even that high.
What if Garoppolo is still on the roster in July? What is the plan? Will the 49ers want Garoppolo to report to the team once he is medically cleared to throw again?
"When we start up, if he's with our team, I expect him to be with us," Shanahan said. "I know his rehab is going to take longer, and I don't think he's going to be ready to throw in OTAs and stuff. So it will be a training camp thing, which I haven't discussed it with him. And we want to do the best thing that gets his rehab right. But no, I fully expect, if Jimmy's on our team, to be a part of our team."
There may not be movement on the Garoppolo front until later in the offseason. For now, the 49ers are talking as if he might be part of the team in July because it certainly is a possibility.
"We can't upgrade our team and get some good picks until people feel good about [Garoppolo's recovery]," Shanahan added. "I'm all right with that. I mean, we're not just getting rid of him to get rid of him. Jimmy's a good player that we all really like as a person and as a teammate. And we're going to wait to see whatever helps the Niners the most."
Many feel Garoppolo remaining would be awkward for Lance. Is the former No. 3 overall pick going to be the starter should Garoppolo remain on the roster? Or would there be a quarterback battle in training camp?
"Jimmy's a good quarterback," Shanahan responded. "He's not easy for anyone to beat out. Trey wasn't ready to beat him out last year. He would be definitely closer to that this year if it happens, but it's something we wouldn't have to worry about until training camp. Usually, when you have a situation like that, it makes everyone better."
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