Kyle Shanahan has insisted that there is no “open competition” at quarterback, but the San Francisco 49ers remain one of the most intriguing teams when it comes to the most important position on the field.
That is why everyone wants to know who will start the 49ers’ first preseason game this weekend against the Chiefs: Trey Lance or Jimmy Garoppolo?
Yet, Shanahan said on Tuesday that there was “no announcement on QBs for Saturday or if Garoppolo must play,” Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News reported (h/t ProFootballTalk).
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Lance, the team’s first round pick, will more than likely get some reps in but it will be interesting to see whether or not those reps come with the first team.
However, if Lance does indeed start, it does not necessarily mean that he is the frontrunner for the starting job as the Niners could choose to sit Garoppolo entirely in order to keep him healthy for Week 1 or a possible trade.
The 49ers are on the hook to pay Garoppolo $25 million if he is on the roster Week 1. So, even if the plan is to try and trade him before the start of the season and start Lance, it is in the team’s best interest to keep him healthy.
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