John Lynch does not “foresee” a release coming for Jimmy Garoppolo.
The 49ers general manager spoke to reporters at the league meetings in Palm Beach, Fla. on Monday and was asked about potentially cutting the quarterback.
“I don’t foresee that,” Lynch said. “He’s too good a player. I think Jimmy will be playing for us or will be playing for someone else. He’s too good of a player not to be.”
Garoppolo, 30, has been the subject of trade rumors since the 49ers lost to the Rams in the NFC Championship game, but the market for him has thinned after his recent shoulder surgery while the quarterback carousel has spun at breakneck speeds this offseason.
Aaron Rodgers stayed put, Russell Wilson was traded to the Broncos, the Browns acquired Deshaun Watson, the Colts got Matt Ryan and the Commanders traded for Carson Wentz. The Steelers, once thought to be a robust option, signed Mitchell Trubisky.
Teams that may be in the market for a starter include the Falcons — but they signed Marcus Mariota and seem to be rebuilding — and the Seahawks, who are the 49ers’ divisional rival.
Furthermore, there don’t appear to be many great options out there for the 49ers to replace Garoppolo with. The team selected Trey Lance No. 3 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, but he is unproven.
From the outside, Garoppolo, who is entering the final season of a five-year contract, appears to give the 49ers the best chance to win in 2022, even if they might have thought otherwise a couple months ago. He completed 68.3 percent of his passes for 3,810 yards along with 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions last season.