Jimmy Garoppolo rumors: More evidence 49ers will trade their QB

The die-hards continue to speculate the 49ers retain Jimmy Garoppolo in 2022, but there’s another big piece of evidence he’ll get traded.

Those who think the San Francisco 49ers are still displaying their reluctance to trade quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo probably continue to state as much in the wake of the fact he’s still on the 90-man offseason roster.

No, the Niners didn’t move him at the start of the league new year last March, and they didn’t move him during the 2022 NFL Draft either despite it being a very weak quarterbacking class.

So, for many out there within both the fanbase and media circle, this can mean only one thing, right? San Francisco is in either one of two spots:

• Overly committed to Garoppolo for whatever the reason
• Afraid to start second-year quarterback Trey Lance

The conclusion is for the 49ers to keep Garoppolo, of course, and you’ll likely continue hearing this assessment until, well… Jimmy G winds up being moved in one way or another.

Except for the fact, that there’s more evidence suggesting Garoppolo gets moved than he actually stays put.

New 49ers QBs coach hasn’t spoken to Jimmy Garoppolo

One might argue the Niners swapped out former quarterbacks coach Rich Scangarello for former NFL analyst (and former quarterback) Brian Griese for the sole development of developing Lance, not continuing to foster the relationship San Francisco has with Garoppolo.

If that was a theory, it likely showed some truth when NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco reported Griese hadn’t had any contact with Garoppolo this offseason whatsoever:

For those stubbornly holding onto the idea the 49ers would retain Garoppolo in 2022, having a quarterbacks coach stay distant probably wouldn’t be a normal plan of action.

But that’s not the major indicator of why the Niners are all but likely to move Jimmy G.

Kyle Shanahan’s comments on Jimmy Garoppolo say it all

It’s one thing to wonder if Griese simply forgot to make a phone call. It’s another when head coach Kyle Shanahan comes out and says San Francisco is still looking to trade Garoppolo.

From Shanahan’s press conference early during organized team activities:

"Yeah, nothing’s changed since the surgery, we knew where we were at before that, and then he got the surgery, so everything went on hold. I expect him at some time, most likely to be traded, but who knows. It’s not a guarantee and it’s been exactly on hold when that happened. And when he is healthy, we’ll see what happens."

Garoppolo’s offseason shoulder surgery is a prime suspect behind why the 49ers were unable to trade him earlier. And as the large-scale quarterbacking carousel moved around without Garoppolo on it, the Niners were forced to bide their time.

Read More: 4 teams that could employ Jimmy Garoppolo in 2022

We don’t have to overthink this either. Shanahan comes out directly and says “I expect him… to be traded.” Sure, San Francisco has said it won’t be willing to give Garoppolo away for nothing. And it hasn’t had to.

At least not yet.

Regardless, for the stubborn perspectives that think each one of the 49ers’ actions with their veteran quarterback up to this point is evidence for them wanting to keep him, there are stronger bits of evidence that suggest otherwise.

Particularly Shanahan’s own comments.