It is expected the 49ers will move on from Jimmy Garoppolo this offseason, and the Trey Lance era will begin in San Francisco.
Lance showed growth throughout the season, earning praise from a number of teammates. With no other quarterback signed for 2022, Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch will be looking to find Lance’s backup.
There are number of veteran quarterbacks who could be targets for the 49ers. Finding a veteran who can mentor Lance throughout his first season as a starting quarterback could be building on the progress the young quarterback made during his rookie season.
Tyrod Taylor is the hot name linked to San Francisco due to his connection with Anthony Lynn. Taylor played under the 49er’s new assistant head coach during his time in Buffalo and the Los Angeles Chargers.
Taylor’s ability to stay healthy is a question mark. A freak injury with a injection allowed Justin Herbert to supplant Taylor only one week into the 2020 season and was injured during the second game of his 2021 season with the Houston Texans.
Something to consider with Taylor, despite drawing interest from the 49ers prior to 2017, Taylor’s name was never linked to the team during a 2021 offseason which saw them linked to several quarterbacks.
Like Taylor, Marcus Mariota is another option of a quarterback with a playing style similar to Lance.
Taken second overall by the Tennessee Titans in 2015, Mariota knows all too well the type of scrutiny Lance will face throughout the season.
Mariota has proven to be effective with both his arm and legs. If he does not land a role as a starter elsewhere, San Francisco would be a good landing spot for the veteran.
Jacoby Brissett has been a career backup for New England, Indianapolis, and Miami. Over his six-year career, Brissett has made 37 starts and shown the ability to keep his team afloat when necessary.
The veteran has completed just over 60% of his pass attempts for 7,742 yards, 36 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. He’s also rushed for 13 touchdowns on 178 career attempts.
The remaining options were all linked to San Francisco a year ago.
Andy Dalton was one of the targets for the 49ers, according to Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network Kyle Shanahan was not happy that Dalton chose Chicago over San Francisco.
“They wanted to sign Andy Dalton in free agency as their veteran quarterback and then trade Garoppolo and draft Lance. I’m told Shanahan was pretty upset when they did not land Dalton.”
Joe Flacco drew interest from San Francisco last offseason before signing with Philadelphia. The Eagles would eventually send Flacco to New York during the season for a sixth-round draft pick.
This is a move that could make sense for San Francisco. Flacco would provide a veteran presence in the 49ers quarterback room and has experience running offensive schemes like that of Kyle Shanahan, playing under Gary Kubiak in 2014 with the Baltimore Ravens, posting the second-best passer rating of his career, and 2019 under Rich Scangarello with the Denver Broncos.
Mitchell Trubisky chose to sign a one-year deal with Buffalo in 2021. Originally taken second overall by Chicago in 2017, Trubisky was looking for an opportunity to get a fresh start and develop under Brian Daboll.
Another quarterback who may be looking to rebuild his standing around the league could be Teddy Bridgewater.
San Francisco reportedly showed interest in acquiring Bridgewater last season, however the 49ers chose not to move forward, and the quarterback would eventually be dealt to Denver.
Bridgewater started 14 games for the Broncos, finishing with a 7-7 record and completing 66.9% of his pass attempts for 3,052 yards, 18 touchdowns and only 7 interceptions.
Gardner Minshew took the NFL by storm as a rookie in 2019, leading Jacksonville to a 6-6 mark in 12 starts his rookie season.
Minshew was traded to Philadelphia for a conditional sixth round pick in late August and is under contract with the Eagles for 2022, making this a long shot to happen.
It should be Colin Kaepernick and he should be starting. Colin is way better then any QB mentioned here. Lance has proven nothing other then he’s not ready yet. No matter who it is they need to move on from Jimmy G who is the worst QB in the league by far. Wake up niners fans!
It’s ridiculous that Colin’s name isn’t even mentioned.
For a BACK UP? Come on.
He’s a Len Eshmont award winner, ton of talent, etc.
I guess they can’t just come out and say he is black balled, and nobody is allowed to even give him a try out as a backup.
I like Bridgewater and Dalton the most, but I don’t like their price tags because at that point your paying more than Jimmy’s salary now.
Trubisky is intriguing. I think he would push Lance just enough because of his draft pedigree and potential to “make a comeback” in Shanahans system. Then there is Taylor who makes a lot of sense.