Lynch: 49ers have planned for scenarios if Jimmy G returns

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It certainly appears that Jimmy Garoppolo's time with the 49ers is coming to a close. 

Although, never say never ... right? 

49ers general manager John Lynch joined Matt Maiocco on the latest episode of 49ers Talk from the NFL scouting combine, where he discussed the possibility of Garoppolo staying with San Francisco and possibly competing with Trey Lance once again next season. 

"The combine is set up just perfectly because we're all here together, so those meetings take place and like I said, we will listen," Lynch said. "We know that we've got a really good quarterback in Jimmy so if we have the two of them and let them go compete, then we're happy to do that as well. And we're capable of doing that with our cap."

One of the main reasons why the 49ers might trade Garoppolo is the financial freedom they will have afterward. Moving Garoppolo will free up around $25 million in salary cap space, allowing the team to re-sign current free agents and work on extensions with young stars such as Deebo Samuel and Nick Bosa. 

Lynch and the 49ers have planned for every scenario, including multiple that might even include keeping Garoppolo next season. 

"There's certainly tradeoffs, but we budgeted for a lot of different things with Plan A, Plan B, Plan C and one of those scenarios and a couple of those scenarios has included Jimmy," Lynch explained. "Yes, we can do it. It will curtail what we are able to do, the aggressiveness in free agency. The bottom line is, whatever that combination is, we want to be a better football team and give ourselves a better opportunity to be a better football team going into next year."

RELATED: Examining 49ers' draft areas of need going into the combine

Garoppolo will undergo shoulder surgery this offseason and reportedly will not throw for 16 weeks afterward. Despite the lengthy rehab ahead, teams are reportedly still interested in acquiring the 30-year-old quarterback. 

It's still likely that Garoppolo is playing elsewhere next season, but it's clear that Lynch and the 49ers aren't completely closing the door on retaining his services. 

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