It's a pretty safe assumption that no matter what happens this season, the San Francisco 49ers will return to quarterback Trey Lance in 2023. Jimmy Garoppolo is slated to become a free agent, and the team can't use the franchise tag on him. That means that no matter what happens in the coming months, even if Garoppolo guides the team to a Super Bowl, this is likely his last season with the 49ers.

But what if the 49ers delay a return to Lance? Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer speculates on the possibility, noting that San Francisco at least considered a different approach in January and February.

In 2020, following a Super Bowl appearance, the 49ers opted to pass on signing future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady, sticking with Garoppolo. Brady went on to win a Super Bowl. He has struggled this season, which leads Breer to believe that 2022 won't be the quarterback swan song. It's not how the competitive player wants to go out.

Maybe head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch will be influenced by that decision in 2020 to pass on Brady.


"If you've got this championship roster, do you put it in Trey Lance's hands if Tom Brady knocks on the door?" Breer asked on 98.5 The Sports Hub in Boston (h/t KNBR). "... It's something they discussed internally in January and February. Let's say they win the Super Bowl ... and let's say Jimmy leaves after they win the Super Bowl, and let's say Tom Brady wants to go there."


That's a lot of hypotheticals but is enough to generate some intriguing speculation.

If the 49ers manage to win it all with Garoppolo, Breer wonders if the team's decision-makers might feel that they could let Garoppolo go, bring in Brady, and try to repeat. Of course, they would need to figure out how to do that financially.

San Francisco had to restructure the one year remaining on Garoppolo's contract just to keep him on as a backup after failing to find a trade partner this offseason. Paying a lot of money for a starting quarterback, even for one season, might throw a wrench into the team's plans. Running back Christian McCaffrey's salary will spike next season. The team also needs to re-sign defensive end Nick Bosa.

But for Brady, the 49ers might be an enticing destination.


"This would check a lot of boxes," Breer explained. "Being able to finish in San Francisco, great offensive coach in Kyle Shanahan, great talent around him. Throwing to Deebo Samuel, and Brandon Aiyuk, [George] Kittle. You've got Christian McCaffrey behind you. There are a lot of fun possibilities out there with Tom."

It's all speculation at this point. Right now, the 49ers are focused on finding out how far they can go this season with Garoppolo helming the offense after Lance went own with a season-ending ankle injury. The 4-4 team's next game will be against the Los Angeles Chargers at Levi's Stadium on November 13.
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