“This is Trey’s team.” Kyle Shanahan, July 26, 2022
The San Francisco 49ers reported for training camp on Tuesday, and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was among those counted as present. Garoppolo had to get his physical, but his time in Santa Clara is done, and the 49ers are still planning to trade their former QB1.
“I think all three of us are very much on the same page,” said 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan on him, Garoppolo and general manager John Lynch. “Jimmy understands where we’re at. We understand where we’re at. I can’t tell you how appreciative I have been of Jimmy and him being here. And I’m so appreciative of what he did for us last year…[B]ut we have moved on to Trey…We think Jimmy would’ve been traded if the surgery didn’t happen…[I]t’s good to see that he is healthy, but now it’s all just seeing how this will end up. All three of us are on the same page and we’ll always think about Jimmy. He knows we have a team to think about too, and we’ll work together to figure out the best thing for that.”
It was clear on March 26, 2021 that the 2022-2023 season would be Garoppolo’s last as QB1 for the 49ers, but in case there was any doubt for anyone, Shanahan was very clear on Tuesday.
“This is Trey’s team and that’s nothing against Jimmy,” Shanahan said. “We made that decision a year ago and we’re going with that and we’re not going to mess around with that anymore…And Jimmy understands that fully…That’s a business decision and that’s what makes it not awkward…Jimmy knows we’re going with Trey. Trey knows we’re going with Trey and our team does. And everyone likes both the guys, so it is what it is.”
Lance’s mobility and ability to stretch the field brings a skill set to Shanahan’s offense that the 49ers haven’t seen under the Lynch/Shanahan regime. The possibilities are not lost on the players who will be on the field with Lance.
“I’m looking forward to a lot of plays that are off-schedule,” said 49ers tight end George Kittle. “I think that’s something I’m really looking forward to. Instead of a five-second play, it lasts for 10 seconds. It’s hard to cover somebody for 10 seconds. I feel like I can get open from someone in 10 seconds. I think Trey will be able to do that a lot, and I’m getting used to that style of football.”
Fullback Kyle Juszczyk agrees with Kittle.
“I think that’s where Trey can really be dynamic, is when the play does break down, he has the athleticism to really make the defense pay for it,” Juszczyk said on Tuesday. “But I’m also excited about his big play ability…[It] just felt like Trey was hitting a lot of deep shots in OTAs. And I’m excited to see that carry over.”
Thus far, it also seems that everyone is excited for the quarterback question to be answered in such clear terms, so the Jimmy or Trey discussion can be laid to rest.
“I feel like we kind of already knew that for at least for a couple months now,” Juszczyk said. “So it is not like a huge revelation today, but having Kyle come out and concretely say it, I won’t have as many people argue with me when I talk to them.”
Deebo Samuel
Meanwhile, over at wide receiver, Deebo Samuel and the 49ers have yet to come to an agreement on a contract extensions. Although talks are taking place, it does not sound like anything will happen before the 49ers first training camp practice at 10:25 am on Wednesday.
“We’ve had really productive and substantive talks,” Lynch said on Tuesday. “I don’t want to get everyone all excited that something’s imminent, because we’re not there yet, but I’m really hopeful that in the near future we’ll be able to you announce something that’s exciting for everyone involved…Deebo is here today and we’re excited about moving forward with him as part of this team.”
In terms of how Samuel will be used in the offense, Shanahan said, “I had a real good discussion with him. We’re on the exact same page on it.”
Nick Bosa
In terms of that other contract extension, the 49ers have a little more time when it comes to pass rusher Nick Bosa.
“If you look at our history, our cadence, you know most of our deals are done with one year left on the contract,” Lynch said. “Nick’s got two years left and so that doesn’t make it impossible, but makes it more likely that it’s something that will be addressed next year…Nick Bosa is going to be a part of the Niners and he’s going to get paid handsomely to do so. So his time’s coming and when it does, he’ll get what he deserves because man, what a special player.”
News and Notes
- Rookie DL Kalia Davis starts camp on the Non-Football Injury list.
- TE Charlie Woerner (core) and CB Jason Verrett (knee) begin training camp on the PUP list
