Jimmy Garoppolo not attending 49ers offseason program

The end is near for Jimmy Garoppolo in San Francisco.

Garoppolo’s time with the 49ers ending should not come as a shock; however, the presence of the veteran quarterback on the 49ers roster continues to make it a talking point.

After injuring his throwing shoulder against Dallas in an NFC Wildcard game, Garoppolo continued to play through the remainder of the playoffs. After trying to let the injury heal on its own, Garoppolo had surgery on March 8.

Garoppolo won’t be able to throw until late June or early July, which has cooled any trade value the veteran had following the season. The ability to throw is somewhat essential for a quarterback, plus it remains a question when Garoppolo could pass a physical.

The most likely landing spot for Garoppolo through a trade continues to be Carolina. The Panthers have done their due diligence on the veteran quarterback, and he could be an option if they chose a position other than a quarterback with the sixth pick in the draft.

The latest on Garoppolo came Tuesday morning from NFL Network reporters Ian Rapoport and Tom Peliserro.

“Garoppolo has been rehabbing his throwing shoulder off-site, per his surgeon’s instructions. Garoppolo and the team are on the same page with that continuing, and he won’t be there when their offseason conditioning program starts today.”

News of Garoppolo not attending the offseason conditioning program comes days after a report from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler that Trey Lance has received indications that he’ll be the 49ers starting quarterback in 2022.

“Meanwhile, Trey Lance has been working out in the Bay Area. I’m told that he’s got indications, at least informal indications from the team, that he’ll be the guy next year. He’s set to be that. Now, whether that means that they would still keep Garoppolo and that could change the dynamic, possibly. But right now, Lance is going to be the starter.”

Lance moving into the starting role has been expected.

During an interview with Rich Eisen before the Super Bowl, Lance was asked if based on the message he was given, does he expect to be the starting quarterback in 2022?

“That’s absolutely my goal. I’m going to be as ready as I possibly can in OTA’s training camp and absolutely week one,” responded Lance.

Eisen then asked Lance if he was told there would be a competition with Garoppolo.

“No. No. There was, no; they didn’t say that.”

Eisen followed up by asking if Garoppolo does leave; the gig belongs to Lance?

Lance responded, “That’s the plan. That’s the plan,” before clarifying, “that’s my plan.”

San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan gave a similar tone during the NFL annual meeting at the end of March.

“That’s why we looked into trading Jimmy, because we obviously believe that Trey can be a starter. And we’re ready to do that.”

Without the presence of Garoppolo around the team facility, the time is now for Trey Lance. He will have the entire offseason program and OTA’s and minicamp to take over as the 49ers leader.