2022 NFL: Worst offseason move for each of the 32 teams
By Randy Gurzi
San Francisco 49ers: Keeping the QB controversy alive
While it’s true teams shouldn’t just give up talented players for nothing, the San Francisco 49ers and Jimmy Garoppolo need to divorce one another. The Niners are clearly no longer interested, which we saw when they took Trey Lance early in the 2021 draft — and at this point, they’re just prolonging the inevitable.
As long as Garoppolo is there, the 49ers could be reluctant to turn things over to Lance. And the longer he stays on the bench, the longer he goes without getting meaningful snaps as the No. 1 quarterback.
That’s not just an issue on gamedays, but it’s a problem throughout the week as well. In today’s NFL where the CBA limits practices, No. 2 quarterbacks don’t get nearly as many reps as they used to. This is why many teams are throwing the young guys out there to learn as soon as they can. Lance, who had very limited experience at North Dakota State, needs the actual reps both in practice and on the field.
Sure, they might have a better shot at winning now with Garoppolo, but they haven’t been able to win it all. That’s why they should cut the cord and start working with the player they think can catapult them to the next level.