“Nice Try, Though” – Kyle Shanahan Refrains From Naming Jimmy Garoppolo as 49ers Starter

San Francisco 49ers concluded their 2020 NFL campaign in a disappointing fashion. The 2019 Super Bowl LIV runner-ups finished at the bottom of the NFC West division with a 6-10 record, finishing behind Kyler Murray-led Arizona Cardinals.

Their dismal display was down to the fact that first-choice quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo missed a major chunk of the season with an ankle injury. In 6 games last year, Garoppolo threw for 1,096 yards with 7 passing TDs against 5 interceptions. 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan and the senior management addressed their lack of depth in the offseason by bringing in rookie Trey Lance.

The Niners traded their first-round picks in 2022 and 2023, as well as a third-round pick in 2022, to the Miami Dolphins to acquire the 3rd overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. They used that to select NDSU’s Trey Lance, despite the fact that he did not play college football in 2020 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

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Kyle Shanahan refuses to confirm Jimmy Garoppolo as 49ers’ first-choice QB

It would be fair to say that coach Shanahan gambled the immediate future of his team by drafting Trey Lance in the offseason. They’ve placed all their faith in the promising youngster who was even given playing time in the opening preseason games.

But despite his arrival, Shanahan still maintains that Jimmy G and Lance are both in the mix for a potential shot at claiming the starting quarterback berth. When questioned after the recent win over Los Angeles Chargers in preseason, here’s what the 49ers boss had to respond.

“The situation is pretty similar. No, I’m not making that announcement…Nice try, though,” Shanahan said via ProFootballTalk.

Lance made headlines in 2019 with some dazzling displays for the North Dakota State University Bisons. The youngster threw for 2,700+ yards with 28 passing TDs against 0 interceptions. He further rushed for 1,100 yards with 14 rushing TDs to his name.

The talent to start is something that Lance does possess. But Shanahan will be wary not to put his ‘starboy’ in a trial by fire at the infancy of his NFL carrer.

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