Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo remains with the San Francisco 49ers for now, but the franchise’s decision-makers continue to be open about their preference for trading him before the 2022 season.
Niners coach Kyle Shanahan spoke with reporters at organized team activities Tuesday and was asked about where things stood with Garoppolo.
“I expect him at some time, most likely, to be traded, but who knows? That’s not a guarantee,” Shanahan said. “It’s been on hold when (his surgery) happened. When he’s healthy, we will see what happens.”
Garoppolo underwent surgery on his throwing shoulder during the offseason and is continuing to rehab.
In March, 49ers general manager John Lynch said if he could not orchestrate a trade, the team would keep Garoppolo on the roster rather than release him.
As the team wants to move forward with 2021 third overall draft pick Trey Lance as their starting quarterback next season, Garoppolo himself has been on board with the plan of starting over somewhere new.
In February, shortly after Garoppolo and the 49ers lost to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship Game, the 30-year-old signal-caller said he and Lynch had discussed “finding the right destination” for him.
In five years in San Francisco, Garoppolo has thrown for 11,162 yards, 66 touchdowns and 38 interceptions over 46 games (45 starts). He led the Niners to Super Bowl LIV in February 2020, where they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs. He has just a 74.1 passer rating over six playoff starts, with 962 yards, four touchdown passes and six picks.