49ers' Shanahan: Garoppolo knows 'this is Trey's team'
Kyle Shanahan says everyone on the San Francisco 49ers, including Jimmy Garoppolo, understands that the future of the quarterback position belongs to Trey Lance.
"This is Trey's team," Shanahan said Tuesday. "That's nothing against Jimmy. We made that decision a year ago. We're going with that."
Shanahan shared his appreciation for the veteran's efforts in taking the 49ers to the NFC Championship Game last season.
"I can't tell you how appreciative I have been of Jimmy and him being here," Shanahan noted. "So appreciative of what he did for us last year. … Jimmy did a hell of a job coming into camp and winning that job and taking us real close to the Super Bowl. But we have moved on to Trey, and we're starting camp out this way."
Lance made two starts during his rookie season in place of an injured Garoppolo, throwing for five touchdowns to two interceptions. The 49ers selected him third overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Garoppolo was expected to be one of the first quarterbacks to be moved in the offseason, but shoulder surgery stalled interest from suitors. Shanahan reiterated Tuesday that the team believes he would've been traded if not for the surgery, though the club has no "ill will" about the procedure.
The 30-year-old officially passed his physical Tuesday, meaning he won't open training camp on the physically unable to perform list, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.
San Francisco reportedly gave him permission to pursue a trade last week. Garoppolo carries a $26.95-million cap hit for 2022, the final year of his contract.
General manager John Lynch also confirmed Deebo Samuel arrived for training camp and said the two sides have had "productive" talks about an extension. Lynch has been adamant the club wants to retain Samuel since the star wideout requested a trade in April.
"I don't want to get everyone all excited that something's imminent, because we're not there yet," Lynch said. "But really hopeful that in the near future, we'll be able to announce something that's exciting for everyone involved."