SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Report: Jimmy Garoppolo and Kyle Shanahan’s relationship soured prior to NFC Championship

Feb 8, 2023, 10:49 AM | Updated: 12:54 pm

Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers talks with Jimmy Garoppolo #10 prior to the gam...

Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Many rumors have circulated this week on the 49ers and the relationship between quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and Kyle Shanahan following the 2022 season.

The former 49ers’ signal-caller will enter the free agent market for the first time in his NFL career this spring. After six seasons in San Francisco, some were taken aback by Shanahan’s response to Jimmy G’s impending free agency. Leading the team to a Super Bowl berth, Garoppolo’s former employers were cold in the team’s final presser of the 2022 season, dismissing the QB altogether.

“No, I don’t see any scenario of that,” Shanahan said bluntly last Tuesday.

Well, now we have a little more information as to why.

The Athletic’s Tim Kawakami stated in a mailbag that he did some digging amongst the 49ers’ brass, revealing there was a strain in the relationship between the two sides, and that it had been brewing for some time.

“Well, I checked around the team and discovered: Yes, the relationship between Garoppolo and Shanahan/[John] Lynch seems to have gone a bit south in the days or weeks leading up to the NFC Championship Game loss in Philadelphia. I don’t know if there was a specific blow-up or conversation that led to this. I don’t know what the main issue was,” Kawakami wrote.

Another rumor floating around is that Jimmy Garoppolo was healthy enough to return from a foot fracture in the NFC Championship game, but chose not to, leaving the 49ers will only two healthy QBs entering the day. A far-fetched rumor, Kawakami and other media members have shut down that notion, instead pointing to the drama over the last few seasons as the tea leaves for the breakup.

“But Shanahan and Lynch saved it for Garoppolo, who tried and couldn’t get healthy enough to be Purdy’s backup in the conference title game. And then Purdy got hurt,” Kawakami continued.

“Again, I don’t know that any of this directly led to Shanahan’s abrupt answer about Garoppolo and, before that, Garoppolo bypassing the media during locker-room clean-out day last week, but I imagine this was part of the atmosphere around the two.

“Which maybe is the perfect weird way to end the extended high/low Garoppolo era with the 49ers. There was no chance Garoppolo was sticking around again as the 49ers’ backup in 2023, and there was also no chance that Shanahan or Lynch would’ve wanted him to once Purdy emerged as a quality starter. Shanahan’s terse answer was just the official notification of this.”

A lot of drama indeed, as the 49ers now shift their focus back to winning football games next season with either Brock Purdy, or Trey Lance, at the helm.

Newsletter

San Francisco 49ers

Arik Armstead #91 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on during warmups before the game against the Se...

Amiliano Fragoso

Arik Armstead reveals 49ers asked him to take $12 million pay cut

Arik Armstead broke the silence on his 49ers departure Thursday, stating that he felt disrespected by their contract offer this offseason.

23 minutes ago

Defensive end Arik Armstead #91 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on against the Los Angeles Rams du...

Amiliano Fragoso

Post-June 1st Designation: How does it work in the NFL?

The Post-June 1st Designation has been a widely used method of salary cap maneuvering by NFL teams this offseason. Here's how it works.

4 hours ago

Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a touchdown pass during the third quarter a...

Amiliano Fragoso

Shanahan raves about Brock Purdy as 49ers prepare for extension after 2024

The 49ers appear to be preparing for a massive Brock Purdy contract extension, something SF isn't shy about paying for the right guy.

1 day ago

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 11: Brandon Aiyuk #11 of the San Francisco 49ers runs the ball after a...

Amiliano Fragoso

Shanahan looking to get Brandon Aiyuk extension done ‘sooner than later’

Kyle Shanahan seemed optimistic about a long-term extension for Brandon Aiyuk, hoping to get pen to paper done as a soon as possible.

1 day ago

Arik Armstead #91 looks on during San Francisco 49ers practice ahead of Super Bowl LVIII at Fertitt...

Amiliano Fragoso

49ers GM John Lynch says Arik Armstead departure was a tough decision

John Lynch went through the Arik Armstead process with the media this week, explaining how happy he is that one of their own got a new deal.

1 day ago

Fans in Christmas costumes watch from the stands prior to the game between the Denver Broncos and t...

Amiliano Fragoso

NFL plans for Wednesday Christmas DoubleHeader in 2024

The NFL will reportedly have two games on Christmas Day, despite the holiday falling on a Wednesday, in 2024.

2 days ago

Report: Jimmy Garoppolo and Kyle Shanahan’s relationship soured prior to NFC Championship