Jimmy Garoppolo move is proof 49ers lack confidence in Trey Lance

The San Francisco 49ers finalized a deal to keep star quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo around, despite already having a starter.

The San Francisco 49ers are expected to have Trey Lance as their starting quarterback this season. However, they just finalized a deal with star Jimmy Garoppolo to keep him as a backup through the upcoming season. Lance may not live up to his expectations this season, and Garoppolo will be a good safety net.

According to Mike Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle, the 49ers are keeping coverage because they’re worried about how Lance will perform.

Silver wrote, “This is a hedge, plain and simple. And the reason the 49ers are hedging is they’re worried that Lance, for all his promise, won’t be good enough to get their built-to-win-now team to its only acceptable destination.”

Lance has a lot of potential, but he hasn’t been living up to it through the preseason.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance is underperforming during preseason

The young quarterback has shown recent signs of struggle that could be a result of lack of time in the NFL.

According to CBS Sports, “Lance completed 7-of-11 passes last week but his longest completion went 15 yards to his fullback when he found him alone on the sideline after rolling out of the pocket.”

He also made several off-target throws, which shows lack of experience. Though he has potential to be a great quarterback, he’s not ready yet. Working closely with the 49ers and Garoppolo will benefit him, but he shouldn’t be fully relied on just yet.

Unfortunately for Garoppolo and the 49ers, there simply weren’t enough trade partners for Jimmy G to find him a long-term home this offseason. With this one-year, revised deal, it ensures Garoppolo will get paid this year, but not to the extreme degree he was signed for beforehand.