49ers news: Jimmy Garoppolo won’t return, Tom Brady retires

The 49ers may finally bid farewell to Jimmy Garoppolo this offseason, but it won’t be Tom Brady who ends up replacing him in 2023.

The same course of history appears to be repeating itself in the early phases of the 2023 NFL offseason.

Although how it ended a year ago could end up being drastically different than what takes place this time around.

A year ago, following the San Francisco 49ers’ exit in the NFC Championship game, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo bid farewell to the Bay Area media, thanking them for their support and interest. That jived with the seemingly inevitable trade the Niners were going to make, sending Garoppolo off to a wanting partner.

On top of that, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady announced his retirement after the Bucs were defeated by the same team that’d go on and beat San Francisco to advance to Super Bowl.

However, did either presumed outcome happen? No.

Garoppolo ended up sticking around for the 49ers in 2022, even starting 11 games, while Brady unretired and gave it one more go with Tampa Bay.

And, yet, here we are a full cycle and a full year later at the same point. But it’s with a different outcome (probably).

Jimmy Garoppolo won’t be back with 49ers (for real this time)

Stop if you’ve heard this before, but the Niners fully envision moving forward without Jimmy G under center.

They’re serious about it now, though.

Such is the case, at least according to head coach Kyle Shanahan, who told reporters on Wednesday that he “doesn’t envision” a scenario in which Garoppolo returns to San Francisco in 2023:

Shanahan pointed out how he feels comfortable with the quarterback room the 49ers currently have moving forward, one consisting of Trey Lance and the 2022 rookie upstart, Brock Purdy.

Although both players are dealing with significant injuries suffered on opposite ends of last season.

Garoppolo, meanwhile, spent six seasons with the Niners and boasted a regular-season record of 38-17 with 82 passing touchdowns against 42 interceptions.

What about Brady, though? Was he ever in the picture? Does it even matter?

49ers won’t have a chance to sign Tom Brady because he’s retiring (for real this time)

Going full circle on last year’s events but making them final this time, Brady is returning back to the retirement list.

This, according to himself on a social media post from Wednesday morning.

Brady, who’ll turn 46 years old by the start of the 2023 regular season, was going to be rumored as a potential target for San Francisco on the free-agent market until otherwise determined. Especially given the 49ers’ uncertainty at the position.

Unlike last year, though, Brady didn’t toss out the “never say never” comments that kept the possibility of a return in play.

“For good” were his words used this time.

Whether or not the Niners would have a realistic chance to bring him aboard for 2023 will remain a “what if?” scenario now.

And San Francisco will revert back to hoping either Lance or Purdy pan out as the long-term option.