Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network reports that the 49ers remain open to holding onto Jimmy Garoppolo despite making every effort to try to trade him. A March 8 shoulder surgery threw a wrench in those plans, and Garoppolo has remained on the 49ers roster much longer than most anticipated. No one was interested. Many felt the quarterback would have been traded by the start of the league's new year.
"Garoppolo is on track in his return from shoulder surgery," wrote Pauline. "The 49ers have even entertained holding onto him and, one league source emphasized, that is a sincere public statement from the NFC West franchise as they try to keep their options open while gauging Trey Lance's readiness to become the starter."
Most expect Lance to be the starter come Week 1. However, Garoppolo remaining on the roster might create an awkward situation and invite a training camp quarterback battle. The 49ers expect Garoppolo to start throwing again at the end of June.
"I think the progress is good," general manager John Lynch said this week. "So he's tracking kind of right where we said—throwing towards the end of June and ramping it up from there. So, that's where that's at."
Keeping Garoppolo would obviously be a backup plan. Ideally, they would like to receive reasonable compensation for their starter of the past four-and-a-half seasons. Unfortunately, with the quarterback still recovering from surgery, a trade is unlikely to occur during this draft. Although, it's not out of the question.
Picks in 2023 could be an option too. The Carolina Panthers didn't draft a quarterback yet and don't own a second- or third-round pick.
"It would likely cost a second-round draft pick to acquire Garoppolo, per a league source," Pauline added. "The 49ers may wait until training camp or even the regular season to move Garoppolo, hedging their bets, one source predicted."
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers NFL Draft: 4 Left Tackles Who Could Succeed Trent Williams at Pick No. 27
With free agency and the new league year commencing this week, it has been relatively quiet on the San Francisco 49ers front. The hiring of Matt Eberflus as a defensive assistant and the re-signings of long snapper Jon Weeks and kicker Eddy Piñeiro have been the only... -
49ers Must Avoid a Costly Trent Williams Mistake—And One Draft Pick May Be the Answer
In 2006, the Pittsburgh Steelers released linebacker/edge rusher Joey Porter rather than pay him a large roster bonus. For years, Porter had been the star of the defense, a four-time Pro Bowler and a first-team All-Pro. At the time, I thought they were crazy. Why would they do... -
NFL mock draft: CBS Sports predicts 49ers-Williams split, replacement targeted
The San Francisco 49ers remain hopeful they can reach a contract agreement with their aging but still elite left tackle, Trent Williams. The two sides have yet to see eye to eye, but there has been little indication that a deal ultimately won't get done. However, one CBS... -
Why the 49ers should target massive OT at No. 27 in the 2026 NFL Draft
I'll say it plainly: if Kadyn Proctor is sitting there when the San Francisco 49ers go on the clock with pick No. 27, they should seriously consider turning in the card with his name on it, regardless of whether future Hall of Famer Trent Williams is on the roster in 2026 or...