INDIANAPOLIS -- At this time last year, the Patriots absolutely were not talking to teams about potentially trading Jimmy Garoppolo.
But, that obviously changed in time as the quarterback was traded to the 49ers right before the trade deadline for a second-round pick.
Speaking at the NFL combine Thursday, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan detailed the timeline and said the approaching trade deadline was a factor in the deal happening.
"Last year when we came here we were looking at all [quarterbacks]," he said. "When we got to San Francisco, after Colin [Kaepernick] opted out, we didn't have a quarterback on the roster. We had to add a bunch of guys. We were looking at all free agent possibilities. You're looking at draft possibilities and you're looking at trade possibilities. Jimmy was one of those guys going into the last year of his contract that I think everybody knew there was a trade possibility, especially with the starting quarterback that they have there.
"We looked into that, just like every other situation. They weren't interested at all early on, at this time last year. I don't think they were later. I think they became a lot more realistic right before the trade deadline. I think that pushes a lot of teams to make certain decisions and I think they tried to hold on to it as long as possible, but a few days before the trade deadline it came up. I think they had to make a move to help their team and their future, and fortunately it helped us also."
The 49ers locked Garoppolo up for the future a few weeks again with a new contract and Shanahan is very pleased.
"It will be nice in free agency when everybody we're going for doesn't ask who our quarterback is going to be. They know. That's nice," he said. "I don't always have to always say, 'We'll have one. I promise. Just can't tell you. Just wait and see.' That makes it easier. That makes it more attractive a little bit. I think there is some people [who] can see where we're going and what our situation is. Now you can just focus on getting better at the position. I think it just eases everyone because everyone wants to know who your quarterback is and I think it is pretty obvious to our team."
