The San Francisco 49ers and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo's tumultuous relationship could extend beyond this season. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the team and the passer are open to a reunion in 2023 should circumstances suit them both.
Back in 2023?
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 4, 2022
The #49ers and QB Jimmy Garoppolo are both open to his return next season under the right circumstances, sources say. A scenario that seemed unfathomable a few months ago.
My story: https://t.co/4yHwcDpx4o
The 49ers traded up to the third overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft to acquire quarterback Trey Lance, seemingly signalling the end of Garoppolo's tenure with the team. But Garoppolo held the rookie off last year and has played well enough following a season-ending ankle injury to Lance this year to earn the team's curiosity going forward.
Garoppolo and the 49ers have certainly had their ups and downs. Despite his 37-17 record with the team, the perception has long been that he caps the 49ers potential, hence the Lance acquisition. Garoppolo was a popular subject of trade discussions this offseason, but an offseason shoulder procedure complicated his market, and the 49ers never found a deal that suited them. Complicating the situation all the more, Garopolo has played some of the best ball of his career in relief of Lance; Garropolo sports a career-high 103.0 passer rating and a career-low 1.3% interception rate in his 10 appearances this year.
Garoppolo is set to hit unrestricted free agency following this season, so the 49ers certainly have a difficult decision ahead of them. Re-signing Garoppolo could arguably be considered an admission of failure on Lance, but they have to do whatever gives them the best chance to win. Garoppolo still has plenty of time this year to earn either commitment or disdain from the organization.
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