2 min read • February 23, 2022
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The story of the offseason thus far has been whether the 49ers will trade eight-year pro Jimmy Garoppolo to make way for Trey Lance.
Reports came out late in the season that the 49ers were planning to part ways with Garoppolo once the offseason hit, but a move has not yet been made.
It's possible the 49ers are waiting until closer to the NFL draft to potentially drive Garoppolo's value up, but many around the league have also wondered if Lance is ready to be a starting quarterback.
Garoppolo's thumb and shoulder injuries in the playoffs clearly limited his performance, but the 49ers and head coach Kyle Shanahan stuck with the 30-year-old instead of starting Lance.
Garoppolo's thumb UCL tear likely should have kept him from starting at least the first playoff game against the Cowboys, said Dr. David Chao, ProFootballDoc.
The fact that the 49ers didn't start Lance in that game when Garoppolo clearly had trouble gripping the ball and throwing downfield was eye-opening, Chao said.
The 49ers upcoming season and potential Super Bowl hopes will hinge on Lance's development. The 21-year-old out of North Dakota State made just two starts last season and saw limited action in Week 4.
While it is still a distinct possibility the 49ers trade Garoppolo and trust Lance with the team next season, the hesitance to play him over the injured Garoppolo in the playoffs may indicate where the 49ers confidence level is at currently with Lance.
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