As the 49ers prepare for Sunday's playoff clash with the Dallas Cowboys, the team's long-term plans at quarterback haven't changed.
San Francisco remains committed to Trey Lance as its starting quarterback in 2022, and is expected to explore a Jimmy Garoppolo trade this offseason, NFL Media's Ian Rapoport reported, citing league sources.
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"My understanding is that the 49ers are still committed to first-round pick Trey Lance as their starter moving forward," Rapoport said Sunday morning on NFL Network. "They are expected to explore trade options for Garoppolo, who really seems to be soaking it in and savoring this moment."
Garoppolo has started 15 of 17 games for the 49ers this season, with both absences coming because of injury. Lance, the No. 3 overall draft pick in 2021, was 31-of-52 passing for 441 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions in his first two NFL starts this season.
After falling behind 17-0 against the Los Angeles Rams last week, Garoppolo helped rally the 49ers to a win in the regular-season finale to clinch a playoff spot. Garoppolo played through a painful thumb injury on his throwing hand in that game, and made some clutch throws in the final minutes at SoFi Stadium.
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San Francisco 49ers
Garoppolo again will start Sunday, as the 49ers visit the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC wild-card round.
With a number of NFL teams expected to make quarterback changes this offseason, Garoppolo should garner at least some interest from around the league. It remains to be seen how things exactly will shake out, but after the 49ers traded three first-round picks in order to move up and draft Lance in April, this always seemed like the most likely scenario.
After a year learning behind Garoppolo, Lance likely will take over the reins come Week 1 of the 2022 NFL season.