Kyle Shanahan axes idea of Jimmy G return next season: ‘I don’t see any scenario of that’

Despite only having one quarterback healthy entering OTAs this year, Kyle Shanahan has already said no to a Jimmy Garoppolo return.

The 49ers’ head coach dismissed the idea of Garoppolo returning to San Francisco next season Wednesday. Looking to instead focus on the future of young QBs Brock Purdy and Trey Lance. Jimmy G will officially search for a new team this spring.

“I don’t see any scenario of that,” Shanahan said at the end-of-the-year press conference.

Garoppolo’s history with the 49ers

Garoppolo has been with the 49ers since being dealt by the New England Patriots for a second-round pick in 2017. In six seasons in the Bay, Garoppolo threw for 13,599 passing yards, 82 touchdowns and 42 interceptions as 49er. His biggest accomplishment with the organization was taking them to Super Bowl LIV, losing to the Kansas City Chiefs, 31-20.

Suffering a broken foot in Week 13 against the Miami Dolphins, Jimmy G finishes his 49ers career with a 38-17 record.

What’s next for Kyle Shanahan at the QB spot? 

With Garoppolo now in the rearview mirror, general manager John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan are focused on Brock Purdy’s health over the next six months.

An MRI confirmed Mr. Irrelevant suffered a complete tear of his UCL in his throwing elbow during the NFC Championship game. Purdy is still in the process of gathering second options, but the general consensus is that he will need a repair, not a reconstruction, of his throwing elbow this offseason.

John Lynch shares an update on Brock Purdy. pic.twitter.com/MdejoIatpS

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) February 1, 2023

“I think the positive bit of news is that it seems to be consistent that the right approach is that one [surgery] that takes about that six-month mark,” Lynch stated. “So they’re continuing to work through that process. But we seem encouraged by the prognosis, that that’s kind of where it’s at.”

The GM of the 49ers is referring to the operation where an internal brace would be put into Purdy’s arm, helping the UCL heal as it gets sown back to the elbow. An injury typically reserved for baseball pitchers, the 49ers are encouraged by the fact that the Iowa State alum could be the same player he was prior to the tear. 

“That was the coolest thing for me to hear,” Shanahan explained. “Once three months is over, they start the rehab of just building the arm back slowly. And by six months, it’s built back. And that’s when I started ask questions. ‘So does that mean he’s on the mend and stuff like that? Like you would think of ACLs and things like that?’ And they said no, the build-up has been from three to six and at six months, he is the same dude and full-go, so that was the most encouraging part that I heard.”

Hoping to finalize the approach in the near future, the 49ers, and Purdy alike, are hopeful for a full return at the start of training camp in August.

As for fellow QB Trey Lance, he will be cleared to return much sooner than that, telling the media Tuesday that he will be back to full football activities by the end of the month. Missing most of the season after suffering a fractured fibula and ligament damage in Week 2, Lance will be eased back into the fold leading up to OTAs. 

“Trey’s had a rough go here the past couple of years. Trey’s obviously going to have to prove that he can stay healthy,” Lynch said.

But make no mistake about it, the 49ers are confident in both QBs heading into 2023. They are not worried about competition at the moment but feel “content enough” to have starting-caliber gunslingers on the roster. 

“I know we have two starters on our team right now that I believe we can win with,” Kyle Shanahan stated. “So when you have that situation you’re not that eager to go looking around.”

Click here to watch Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch’s final press conference of the 2022 season

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