Report: '97% chance' Jimmy Garoppolo not with 49ers by training camp

For whatever reason(s), multiple individuals attached to the San Francisco 49ers strongly suggested during the league's annual meetings this week that veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo could remain on the roster even if 2021 rookie Trey Lance is named the team's starter as early as this spring. 

49ers general manager John Lynch said he doesn't "foresee" cutting Garoppolo even though doing so would save the franchise roughly $25 million in cap space, and head coach Kyle Shanahan then declined to name a QB1 for a scenario that involves Garoppolo and Lance staying on the depth chart through the preseason. Last but certainly not least was 49ers CEO Jed York, who made it clear he's cool with Garoppolo sticking around even if he's a high-priced backup to Lance. 

Not everybody is buying what the Niners may have been selling. 

The Athletic’s Tim Kawakami appeared on San Francisco radio station KNBR and called his shot regarding Garoppolo's future. 

"Ninety-seven percent chance Jimmy Garoppolo will not be on this team once the first training camp practice begins," Kawakami explained. "I don’t think they lost anybody by fitting it under the cap. I just don’t think that’s the way they played it. If there was somebody great for them to sign where they needed Garoppolo’s money to use it, they would have just cut Garoppolo and then signed them."

Garoppolo underwent surgery to repair a torn capsule in his throwing shoulder earlier this month and may not be able to complete throwing routines for would-be buyers until this summer. Nevertheless, Kawakami notes that Shanahan and company have assured Lance he'll be holding the figurative keys to the club's offense later this year. 

"They’re just on this other road trying to maintain — whether it’s the illusion or the possibility — just to maintain some sort of trade value, so when Garoppolo can throw again, whether that June, early July or whatever it’s going to be, maybe try to trade him there or you just cut him there," Kawakami added. 

Regardless of San Francisco's actual intentions, there doesn't seem to be much of a realistic landing spot for Garoppolo at his current price. The Carolina Panthers may have a rookie atop their depth chart at the position by this time next month, and it's believed the Seattle Seahawks are among teams waiting to see if the Cleveland Browns will cut 2018 first overall draft pick Baker Mayfield if he isn't traded before or during next month's draft.