49ers clear that `this is Trey's team'
Jimmy Garoppolo reported to training camp for the San Francisco 49ers after spending the offseason away rehabilitating his injured shoulder.
But the message from coach Kyle Shanahan about Garoppolo’s future and the future of the 49ers was clear: “This is Trey’s team.”
Shanahan started camp Tuesday by removing any pretense of a quarterback competition in San Francisco by unequivocally stating what had seemed obvious all offseason, that Trey Lance will take over as starter a year after being drafted third overall.
“That’s nothing against Jimmy,” Shanahan said. “We made that decision a year ago and we’re not going to mess around with that anymore. ... Jimmy understands that fully. He’s a big guy and it’s nothing against him. It’s a business decision.”
The process of transitioning from Garoppolo to Lance as starter in San Francisco started last offseason when the Niners traded three first-round picks to move up to take Lance third overall.
But after having only limited college experience at lower-level North Dakota State, the 49ers were in no rush to turn the team over to Lance, believing that a healthy Garoppolo gave them the best chance to compete.
That mostly proved correct as San Francisco made it to the NFC title game with Garoppolo at quarterback before losing to the eventual champion Rams.
Lance played only sparingly, making two starts when Garoppolo got injured, but showed enough in practice and the offseason for Shanahan to be confident in his ability to run a team that has championship aspirations.
“When you deal with a guy that has ability and stuff and all eyes are on him and the pressure is on him, not just with you guys but teammates, that’s what you want to see, him getting better as he gets opportunities,” Shanahan said. “If he gets better as he gets opportunities, then you’re a lot more encouraged to give him a lot more opportunities.”
The Niners would have already moved on from Garoppolo if he had been healthy this offseason. But he needed shoulder surgery, complicating efforts to trade him.
Garoppolo stayed in Southern California for the offseason program but has been cleared to practice, eliminating a $7.5 million injury guarantee on his $24.2 million contract for 2022.
Whether the Niners can find a trade partner remains to be seen and they might end up releasing him to save that money on the cap. Shanahan said Garoppolo won’t take part in team drills and will work on the side building up strength in his shoulder.
• The Seahawks released running back Chris Carson with a failed physical designation, potentially signaling an end to his career because of a neck injury.
Carson’s future was in doubt the entire offseason after he was injured in Week 4 last year and eventually underwent neck surgery. Seattle coach Pete Carroll cautioned that Carson may not be able to return and Tuesday’s move finalized the situation.
• The Packers agreed to contract extensions with coach Matt LaFleur, general manager Brian Gutekunst and executive vice president/director of football operations Russ Ball, a person familiar with the deals told The Associated Press.
The Packers have posted a 39-10 regular-season record in LaFleur’s three seasons as coach while winning the NFC North in each of those years.
• Danny Amendola, who earned two Super Bowl rings with the Patriots and became one of Tom Brady’s favorite playmakers during his five seasons in New England, is retiring.
The veteran 36-year-old receiver posted a video on social media that featured highlights of his 13 NFL seasons with only one line: “Wouldn’t have it any other way.”
The former Texas Tech standout made his NFL debut with the St. Louis Rams in 2009 and spent his first four seasons there before being signed by the Patriots in 2013.
• The New Orleans Saints signed veteran NFL running back Malcolm Brown on the eve of their first training camp practice.
The signing of Brown adds depth behind top running back Alvin Kamara, who could face a multi-game suspension because of his arrest in Las Vegas that stemmed from a fight that resulted in an injury during the most recent Pro Bowl weekend.
The 5-foot-11, 225-pound Brown has played six seasons for the Rams and spent last season with Miami. He has averaged 4 yards per carry for his career and has 12 touchdowns rushing to go with 46 receptions for 337 yards and one TD.