Kyle Shanahan isn't announcing the Week 1 starting QB quite yet pic.twitter.com/ixA0uOV81t
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) August 23, 2021
That’s interesting. If we recall, Kyle Shanahan already named the 49ers’ starting quarterback when training camp started. Let’s rewind the tape.
On July 27, in Shanahan and general manager John Lynch’s first press conference of the season, Shanahan said that Garoppolo is the 49ers’ starter.
“Just having Jimmy going, he’s our starter,” Shanahan said. “We’re going to give all those guys every opportunity to improve. And if someone ever looks like they give us a better chance to win, we’ll make that decision… There’s no open competition right now in terms of they’re getting equal reps with the same group. Jimmy’s coming in as the one and Trey’s coming in as the two.”
From the outset, Shanahan said Garoppolo is the starter… well, until Lance surpasses him. But he was asked after Saturday’s game whether he would name a starter.
“No, I’m not making that announcement,” Shanahan said. “Nice try though… Not [making that announcement] tonight.”
That came after a game in which Garoppolo had a 16-play drive ended by an interception in which he overthrew Brandon Aiyuk, and in which Lance started out struggling before finishing with two touchdown passes.
Garoppolo finished 3-of-6 for 15 yards with an interception, and Lance finished 8-of-14 with two touchdowns, an interception, eight rushing yards and a negated two-point conversion which he ran for. Garoppolo was supposed to go back in after Lance’s third series, Shanahan confirmed, but the first series went so long that Shanahan said he felt he didn’t need to get Garoppolo more reps.
Shanahan was also asked whether he felt like Lance had made the competition closer and is competing for the starting job. He said no.
“No, I haven’t seen that,” Shanahan said. “I would love for it to be more and more each week, but I think the situation is pretty similar [to the the start of training camp] right now.”
Keep in mind that Shanahan’s plans have evolved rapidly and fluidly throughout camp. Here’s what Shanahan said about getting first team reps for Trey Lance throughout the last few weeks.
July 27, opening presser:
“Jimmy going, he’s our starter… There’s no open competition right now in terms of they’re getting equal reps with the same group. Jimmy’s coming in as the one and Trey’s coming in as the two.”
August 19, on whether he needs to see Lance with the first team to decide which quarterback gives the 49ers the best chance to win:
“I don’t need that to make that decision. But yeah, I’d like to get him some reps with the starters, not just to be with those guys, but our ones go versus ones. You get a little more challenging looks going versus the one defense.”
August 20, Lance gets first extended run with starters — and throws multiple passes — in joint practice with Chargers
August 22, Lance plays with first team against Chargers, Shanahan asked if he will announce starting quarterback