Will Jimmy Garoppolo be the 49ers' starter at quarterback next season?
The Niners are "up to something" when it comes to the position, according to a new report.
However, rival executives apparently believe that San Francisco is merely seeking "upgrades" at quarterback, most likely for a backup, and is "comfortable" with Garoppolo as the starter, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reported.
The 49ers were interested in all of Joe Flacco, Andy Dalton and Mitch Trubisky before they landed elsewhere, Fowler added, while whispers "persist" about their apparent interest in the Jaguars' Gardner Minshew as a potential trade target.
Garoppolo, who turned 29 in November, was limited to just six games in 2020 due to nagging ankle injuries.
He was replaced in the lineup by fourth-year backup Nick Mullens, who played admirably in relief but suffered a season-ending elbow injury in Week 15 against the Dallas Cowboys that later required surgery.
Mullens, now a free agent, was signed in 2017 after he went undrafted coming out of Southern Miss. The 25-year-old has completed 64.5% of his career pass attempts, with 25 touchdowns and 22 picks. The Niners are 5-11 in his 16 career starts.
Texans star Deshaun Watson is one such player who would be a clear upgrade at quarterback, Fowler adds, though his future is clouded amid a standoff with team brass and mounting allegations of sexual assault brought forth in a series of explosive civil lawsuits.
LISTEN NOW on the RADIO.COM App
Follow RADIO.COM Sports
Twitter | Facebook I Instagram