Shanahan doesn't 'see any scenario' where Garoppolo returns to 49ers
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said he doesn't expect quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to return to the team next season.
"I don't see any scenario of that," Shanahan said when asked if Garoppolo will be back in 2023, per NBC Sports Bay Area.
Garoppolo is slated to be a free agent when the new league year opens in March. He spent six seasons with the 49ers after being acquired from the New England Patriots for a second-round pick in 2017. Brock Purdy and Trey Lance are currently the two 49ers quarterbacks under contract for the 2023 season.
Purdy is reportedly expected to have surgery on a UCL tear he suffered in the NFC Championship Game loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Shanahan said he's heard if Purdy has surgery, he'll be "the same dude and ready to go" in six months, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.
The 23-year-old Purdy went undefeated across five regular-season starts, completing 67% of his passes for 13 touchdowns and four interceptions.
Lance suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks, and it's unknown when he'll be ready to return.
Shanahan said he hasn't thought about whether there'll be a training camp battle between Purdy and Lance but added that he believes the 49ers have two starting-level quarterbacks.
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