How Jimmy Garoppolo and San Francisco 49ers came back together

Six months after saying goodbye, he is back, greeting us all again. Five quarters into the NFL season, this unlikely scenario was already a reality. It happened on a sunny Sunday afternoon in Santa Clara. This season, the San Francisco 49ers quarterback was not supposed to be anybody but Jimmy GaroppoloJimmy G was there, ducking in the huddle to call a play.

There was no mistaking his appearance. His crooked smile, mischievous eyes and gray hair were Clooney-like. The voice. Second-year guard: “He’s got that Voice.” Aaron Banks says. It’s a wonderful voice. He sounds almost like a videogame.

In the second quarter of Sunday’s first quarter, the Niners starter Trey Lance The ball was kept on an option play, and he turned upfield. Seahawks’ linebacker met him immediately and he was definitely in front of him Cody BartonLance, who was thrown hard by Lance, fell awkwardly, and Lance was eventually taken off the field. This will mark the end of his second NFL season.

So, Garoppolo’s bizarre journey to nowhere ended after 73 minutes of the season. He was now adjusting his helmet’s chin strap, looking through his mask at his teammates.

It all felt familiar. In Garoppolo’s usual methodical style, the 49ers defeated the Seahawks 27-7. He was there afterward, attending the customs of his craft, trading his helmet for a baseball hat, running across the field to celebrate another win, and hugging the opposing quarterback.

It was almost as if he had never left.

---

How did Garoppolo and his 49ers team get here? This story is full of alphas and Omegas, but let’s start at the end. Or the beginning of what everyone expected to be the end. Garoppolo said his goodbye on Feb. 1, just days after the 49ers had lost to Rams in NFC Championship Game. He went to Zoom, the platform of the moment, and said that he would miss his teammates. We are grateful to you all again. Faithful, thankyou very much for everything. It’s been crazy. It’s been an amazing ride. There have been comebacks at Levis and on the road. I love you guys. So. See ya.”

Everything felt right. It was a natural tone, casual but heartfelt and clear, and the message was precise in its finality. The timing was perfect too. Get it over with early and move on. Everyone thought or knew that Garoppolo would leave the 49ers in 2021 and that the NFC championship defeat would be his final game. It was Lance’s team. The 49ers had traded three of their first-round picks to get the right for him to be drafted with the No. Garoppolo, who was the dedicated caretaker that saw them through Lance’s gap year, had been the No. 3 overall pick in 2021. It is uncommon for an NFL team to have such a specific expiration date. Garoppolo however stated, “It lifted the weight off my shoulders. Now, let’s go play football with the guys and enjoy this last year.

Jimmy G was done after five seasons as a starting quarterback, one Super Bowl, and two NFC Championship Games. Garoppolo was said farewell by his teammates and they wished him luck. General manager John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan, coach, thanked him for all his contributions and praised his professionalism.

It felt like Shanahan’s opening drive. The script would soon be filled with notes on the margin in the months to come. He would be one of the most successful quarterbacks in the past four seasons, based on wins and losses — he’s 35-16 in playoff games as a starter. Garoppolo’s source says that “Nothing fits in a box” because of the many moving parts and variables.

Some of the moving pieces, it turned out to be in Garoppolo’s throwing arm. Injuries to his shoulder and back occurred in January 16’s playoff win against Dallas Cowboys. Garoppolo and his representatives initially chose a conservative approach, which avoided surgery and instead focused on therapy and rest. Lynch met with representatives from several NFL scouting teams in Indianapolis during that time. Lynch was able to conclude the talks with confidence that he could make a quick deal.

Lynch said that Lynch was able to tell them there were serious talks with two, or three teams. “I felt, you’d need to ask them — that it was going to happen.”

Multiple league sources claimed that Garoppolo believed one of these teams, the Washington Commanders, was set to be his next NFL home. The plan was scrapped soon after, as Garoppolo’s shoulder wasn’t healing as he and the medical team hoped. After consulting with doctors, Garoppolo decided to have surgery. This set the start of training camp as the target date for his full recovery. The plan was made public by March 1 and the Commanders traded for the Indianapolis quarterback eight days later. Carson Wentz.

The Garoppolo trading market was more than just cool. It froze.

Garoppolo’s immediate and future health were the main considerations when deciding to have surgery. Garoppolo’s agents were granted license to trade and wanted to avoid misrepresenting Garoppolo’s health. ESPN reported that Garoppolo was aware of the plan to have surgery despite reports to contrary. Garoppolo and Garoppolo were not happy about the timing. A source close to Garoppolo suggested that the team saw surgery as a way to reduce or even eliminate the Niners’ chances of trading Garoppolo before the draft.

Lines were drawn through a limited number of options one by one. The Colts traded Matt Ryan. Pittsburgh signed in an attempt to replace Ben Roethlisberger. Mitchell Trubisky As a last-minute solution for the first-round selection Kenny Pickett. Garoppolo waited patiently for a spot to sit.

Garoppolo was there for all of it. He couldn’t rest or leave. Training camp started July 26. He practiced on a side field, did some exercises and rehabbened his shoulder, but he avoided all meetings. Although he did not make any public statements, he did wave at reporters on his first day. (Garoppolo declined comment to this story. He stayed on the exhibition schedule, week after week, hopeful that something would emerge. Perhaps Cleveland. Deshaun WatsonThe suspension was lifted from six to 11 games due to allegations by more than twenty-six women of sexual misconduct during massaging sessions. Perhaps Seattle, where Pete Carroll was deciding which of the two options. Drew Lock Geno Smith. Perhaps the Rams, who were watching the status of Matthew StaffordHis throwing arm.

August 12, 2012: Jets quarterback Zach Wilson He was injured in his knee and he missed the preseason opener. Social media started talking about Garoppolo moving to New York immediately. The dots were connected. It was a familiarity. Mike LaFleur, the Jets’ offensive coordinator, had previously worked in San Francisco. Robert Saleh, the Jets’ head coach, was previously the 49ers’ defensive coordinator. However, the talk was short-lived as Wilson was diagnosed with a meniscus tear in his knee and a bone bruise. He was not unable to play for too long to justify Garoppolo’s acquisition.

So: nothing. Quarterback-deficient teams that balked after his surgery now held off in the belief the 49ers would release Garoppolo and make a trade unnecessary. According to Garoppolo’s source, Cleveland was “absolutely expected” to be interested in Garoppolo after he was released. Garoppolo and Garoppolo’s agents engaged in the most NFL exercise: waiting to see whether a starting quarterback gets hurt during games they don’t play very often.

Then, something strange happened. According to Garoppolo’s source, “Those weeks helped both parties get more comfortable with the outcome.” Lynch and Shanahan sat back and watched Garoppolo throw during the collapse of the trade market. As they tried to convince other NFL teams that Garoppolo could help, a thought began creeping in: He could.

---

The 49ers are perhaps the least quarterback-dependent championship-caliber team in the NFL. Santa Clara’s quarterback fetish is a bit different. Shanahan’s coaching has been viewed as a mitigating factor that can turn a good, but not great, quarterback like Garoppolo into a consistent winner.

Shanahan stated during a news conference that it was difficult for most teams when it comes down to the quarterback. It is interesting and possibly counterintuitive that Shanahan and his 49ers team willingly took on the NFL’s most beloved pastime, a quarterback controversy, before Lance was injured. Whatever the name, the NFL’s fate always returns to the quarterback. Although it is unfair and sometimes knee-jerk stupid, it has become an integral part of the game.

It is difficult to separate Garoppolo’s decision to keep him from Lance’s decision to raise him. Lance was also limited in playing time last season, and his lack of NFL experience is well-documented. Lance was not able to play well enough in preseason (or the season-opening Bears loss of 19-10) to allow the 49ers to have complete confidence with Lance and the unproven duo. Nate Sudfeld Brock Purdy. Sudfeld, or another equally inexperienced coach, could easily turn over a team with Super Bowl dreams to Sudfeld. Lance’s season-ending injury to his ankle — which was not surprising but sad — brought home the fragility of this brutal business. “Next man up” is a heartless cliché. It is also a pillar in the industry.

Lynch and Shanahan engaged in conversation about roster construction during an August conversation. Lynch asked Shanahan a question that was close to the NFL’s third rail. Lynch suggested that if they could agree on a substantial salary cut, it might work for both sides.

Shanahan laughed at the idea. He didn’t dislike it, but because he wasn’t sure Garoppolo would accept a pay cut as well as a backup job. Shanahan woke up the next day to discuss it with Lynch. Garoppolo was able to understand his feelings and agreed to discuss it with Shanahan.

Shanahan was nevertheless encouraged. Garoppolo didn’t close the door.

---

Lynch didn’t receive any calls regarding Garoppolo until the final cutdown on Aug. 30. Lynch stated that Garoppolo was the reason Lynch felt a bit lost. “Because you could talk to his doctor. You could talk to our physician. You can talk about a lot of people. He was doing well.” While it was obvious that teams were still waiting for the final cuts to be made, Garoppolo’s name was on the list. This allowed him to negotiate with any interested team.

Garoppolo’s contract was a further problem. The Niners did not intend to keep Garoppolo at his full salary cap of $26.9m (none of which was guaranteed for Garoppolo), so a reworked contract was required. Garoppolo, fully aware of his imminent free agency — free agency everyone expected from Santa Clara and Cleveland — continued to throw on the sideline, receiving treatment from the team’s training staff and looking at the quarterback landscape throughout the league. He kept his distance, did not speak up, and ran back. Jeff Wilson Jr.He said, “He kept being who he was, with the character he had. Jimmy possesses all of these traits. He doesn’t have a single bad bone in his body. I’ve been here five-years and I don’t believe I’ve ever seen Jimmy crazy.”

As the options became less and more teams waited for Garoppolo’s expected release, the Niners became increasingly attractive. Lynch offered Garoppolo an incentive-laden, one-year deal. The contract included both a non-trade clause and a tag clause. Garoppolo has now full control over his future and the cap is below $14 million. In incentives, Garoppolo will receive $350,000 for every regular season game, including Sunday’s, where he plays at minimum 25% of the snaps. Lynch explained that while Lynch’s role might be different, almost everything else would remain the same: same team, same teammates and same offense, same Super Bowl goals. The end result was that the familiar won.

After leading the Niners past Seattle, Garoppolo stated that he was comfortable in his new home. “The players, the scheme and all that stuff — in the locker room. It’s very comfortable and I am familiar with it.

Shanahan, Lynch tried to prevent Garoppolo’s news from becoming public. They created a list of 15 veterans from each position — an ad-hoc leadership committee — then scheduled a meeting at Shanahan’s. It was not their intention to vote at the meeting; these decisions were already made. Garoppolo had signed a new contract, and he was willing to end his old contract. Lance was informed last year that Garoppolo would back up Sudfeld, and Sudfeld was told that he would be leaving. Purdy from Iowa State will open the season as No. 3 quarterback. Shanahan brought together the leaders of the team to discuss the team’s thoughts before opening the discussion.

Lynch and Shanahan knew that this was not a routine roster decision. They were dealing directly with the quarterback position which is subject to forensic scrutiny. This was a unique situation that may not have been done before. The 49ers communications team tried to find an instance in which a quarterback would switch roles with his backup during the next year, without any injuries or other circumstances. They have not found anything comparable in their 40-year-old efforts.

Shanahan outlined the situation in great detail. He even went so far as to inform the players that Garoppolo would be receiving a salary cut that would make his pay less than Lance’s. He said that Sudfeld would be fired and that Purdy would become one of their new teammates. The same reaction as Lynch and Shanahan when Garoppolo was told he would be staying with the Niners, shock, was felt in the room.

“I was shocked that nobody made him their man,” left tackle Trent Williams said. “That was the most surprising thing I’ve ever seen. … I expected him somewhere, some one’s starting quarterback.”

After they had digested the information, Shanahan & Lynch opened up the floor to questions. According to the players present, there weren’t many questions, but one stood out. What happens if Lance fails? 

Shanahan’s simple response was that he was betting on the 15 office guys to ensure that their camaraderie was strong enough for whatever might come in from the outside. One of the 15 fullbacks was injured days before Lance. Kyle JuszczykAccording to, “It’s one of the best insurance policies I know.” … …So, you can really sleep well at night. They stated that they wouldn’t be able do this if there wasn’t a strong locker to handle such things. This, despite Lance and Garoppolo’s strong relationship, would make the unique situation work.

“When Kyle [Shanahan] When we first began talking about it, it seemed crazy that it was even possible,” linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair said. “I was just like everyone else. Nobody believed it was possible. We were all like everyone else when they said it could happen.

---

Garoppolo, who walked into the QB’s room after the events of the previous day, looked at Lance & Purdy, smiled with a cockeyed grin, and said, “It is good to be back.” Let’s get on with it. He was no longer an isolated man, no longer the mysterious figure who passes the ball to the low-level staffers. He was again Jimmy G, backup quarterback Niners.

Although there was some awkwardness, it was only because Brian Griese, first-year quarterbacks coach, had to stand before the group and clearly define their responsibilities.

He said to Lance: “Trey. This is your team. You’re leading it.” Garoppolo replied: “Jimmy. You’re the backup. You will be needed if something happens. This is the first time you have led this team, but these are new circumstances. He concluded by saying that all three parties were being addressed: “The media, outsiders and other people will try to make it crazy, but we all know this is BS. This is the way we’re going do it and this is how to win.

All three of the quarterbacks knew this but also knew it was necessary to say it. They waited for Griese’s finish and then they got to work on Week 1 against Chicago.

“We were waiting for this conversation to be had. Purdy replies. “But it happened it was.” Here he takes in a deep breath, and then sighs, “OK, now that we have that out of the way, let’s play ball.” “That was the only thing that made this awkward throughout the whole process.”

Lance attracted immediate attention. How would he respond to this? Is Garoppolo an insurance policy for him or a threat to his safety? Lance stated his first words after Garoppolo returned, “Awesome.” It’s great to have him back. It is great to have him back at the QB table. He’s been a big sister to me ever since I joined the league. I know he has my back. His back is mine.”

There were moments, however, along the way that spoke volumes about the bizarreness of the situation. Jimmy G, Super Bowl Quarterback, Four-year Starter, and the head of the Scout-Team offense.

Banks, a Notre Dame second-year guard, said that “it didn’t really hit us until we saw it that day.” “It was like, “Oh, s—-that’s Jimmy G taking care of scout-team representatives.”

---

After Garoppolo’s triumphant return to the field on Sunday afternoon, circumstances prevented an extended celebration. Right tackle Mike McGlinchey Lance’s injury was described as “horrific” by Garoppolo. Garoppolo used the most anodyne, least illuminating words to describe his return to work. He called it a “full-circle moment” and said getting back to running offense was “like riding on a bike.”

Garoppolo played exactly as he does, 13 for 21 for 14 yards and a touchdown. But the details of the bizarre sequence of events that led to him here were lost. For six months, he was a man who floated on the edge of all rumors for most of his life. He was then the backup quarterback for five quarters and was often the most loved man in any NFL town. He is now back in control, but he’s back under the harsh light. While they may have shined briefly elsewhere for a moment, now all eyes are squarely on him.

Garoppolo explained that he didn’t know this would happen. “But I was prepared for this in the event it did happen and I just wanted to seize the opportunity.”

Perhaps there’s a message, perhaps something profound about loyalty or professionalism, or something banal about perceptions of greener grass and counting unhatched chicks. Garoppolo is back — or is it still? The San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback. He was able to get the opportunity he wanted, even though he claimed he had left it behind.