The San Francisco 49ers announced they were allowing quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to seek a trade.
However, the move doesn’t change much with the situation of the recovering quarterback, who’s been rumored to be on the trade block for most of 2022.
But the one thing it does change is how the 49ers are now all-in on Trey Lance for 2022.
Questions about if he would be the starting QB for 2022 have gone around NFL circles since March.
Now, with the announcement from the 49ers, everyone knows this is Lance’s offense for the season.
Out With The Old, In With The New: How Lance’s Destiny Was To Take Over In San Francisco
Ever since the 2021 NFL Draft, everyone knew Trey Lance was going to take over in San Francisco.
The 49ers would look foolish if they didn’t, after they gave up two additional first-round picks to move up and get him in 2021.
What would it mean if the @49ers took Trey Lance?
"He's being described as a 'savant' on the board & he's 20yo. 1 game in 16 months. Considering what they gave up to get him-the 12th pick & two additional 1st rounders-this might be the boldest move we've ever seen."-@PSchrags pic.twitter.com/UfgYYeEVDI
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) April 28, 2021
While Peter Schrager thought it was a bold move, it could be a disaster in the end.
However, the 49ers’ quarterback-friendly offense is something that could help Lance flourish in the NFL.
But it could take time for Lance, who’s already spent a year with the 49ers, to get down everything from the complex offense that Kyle Shanahan runs.
While he’s spent that first year mostly learning, he was being groomed to take over in San Francisco this year.
Even a Garoppolo Super Bowl last season would not stop Lance from starting this season.
No Jimmy G needs to be traded this off-season even it if he leads the 49ers to there 6th Super Bowl Title. He makes too many mistakes. And he gets hurt all the time too. And that's why John Lynch traded all of those picks to move up to get Trey Lance too. To replace Jimmy G.
— JJF31624 (@jjf31624) January 19, 2022
So when the 49ers got him, it was his destiny to take over the San Francisco offense.
Where Does Garoppolo Go From Here?
The number of potential landing spots for Jimmy G is literally down to one team, the Seattle Seahawks.
Carolina has their QB in Baker Mayfield and Cleveland got Josh Rosen in case they lose out on Deshaun Watson for an extended period.
Cleveland is signing former first-round Josh Rosen to a one-year deal, per sources. Despite spending time with five other NFL teams,
Rosen is only 25 years old and those who have been around him believe he is ready to prove he belongs.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 21, 2022
So the last logical team would be the Seahawks.
However, the 49ers will not want their NFC West rival to have a quarterback that could help them in 2022.
But if they don’t allow him to go to Seattle, what other team would even want an expensive backup quarterback?
The only other team that could be an option is the Houston Texans.
However, they seem like they are fine with Davis Mills for the 2022 NFL season.
So that takes us back to Seattle, a team needing a quarterback since they sent Russell Wilson to Denver.
Could Garoppolo Work Out In Seattle If The 49ers Make The Deal?
It’s likely that he can do well out there, as they have two great receivers to help him.
However, it might be the running game and the Seahawks’ offensive playbook that could affect him.
Jimmy loves to use the play-action pass, something he learned in New England.
So without a great running game it might not work out in Seattle.
This means the days of Garoppolo are numbered.
Something everyone has known since the 2021 NFL Draft concluded.
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