We've been able to cross two names off the list of potential Week 1 starting quarterbacks for the San Francisco 49ers in 2023 Wednesday.
Hours after Tom Brady announced his retirement "for good" from the NFL, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed in his year-end press conference that he "sees no scenario in which Jimmy Garoppolo is back with the 49ers" next season, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area.
When Garoppolo restructured his contract prior to the 2022 season, the 49ers agreed to include a clause that prevented them from placing the franchise tag on him when the season concluded. It seems unlikely the 49ers would have done so anyway, but now they are unable to do so and seem at peace with the fact that Garoppolo's winding tenure with the team is over after parts of six seasons.
Garoppolo may have his limitations and a rather lengthy injury history, but the 31-year-old figures to garner interest from multiple teams as a starting quarterback this offseason.
The Las Vegas Raiders are now led by head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler, both of whom were in New England when the Patriots selected Garoppolo in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft.
DeMeco Ryans has left his post as 49ers defensive coordinator to become the head coach of the QB-needy Houston Texans. Texans general manager Nick Caserio is a former top Patriots executive as well.
Garoppolo's season -- and 49ers tenure -- was ultimately ended by a broken left foot that he sustained in early December. But while the 49ers may be without both Brock Purdy and Trey Lance as they recover from injuries this offseason, one would think Garoppolo should be good to go by the time OTAs start.
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