Kyle Shanahan not tipping hand about naming starting quarterback
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan says he currently has a “pretty good idea” who his starting quarterback will be on September 12th.
But he’s still not letting the general public know who that player will be.
“I’ve always had a pretty good idea, but there’s lots of days between now and then, at every position,” Shanahan said on Wednesday.
Did Garroppolo give fans a hint?
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garroppolo basically gave it away when he was speaking with reporters in this article by Luis Sanchez.
“Yeah, I have a pretty good idea,” said Garoppolo. “It’s whatever he decides, yeah. I have a pretty good idea. I’m pretty happy with where I’m at right now and everything and just the offense as a whole. Yeah, Kyle’s the head man. He’ll make the call.”
That sounds like Garroppolo is the starter, but we’ll have to wait and see when Shanahan officially names a starting quarterback.
The 49ers head coach told reporters that he doesn’t feel like he gains anything by naming a starter early.
“I look at it more as, what do you gain by naming it?” Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday when asked why he hasn’t named a starting quarterback. “There would be one reason I could think of by naming it that would help and that would be to end those questions. If you could give me another reason that’s a big advantage, that helps our team, affects anything that has to do with us, then I will name it.”
49ers quarterback decision
The 49ers quarterback decision is one of the most highly anticipated in the NFL this season, after they traded up to the number two overall spot in the 2021 NFL Draft to take Trey Lance out of North Dakota State.
Looking at various reports, it sounds like the 49ers will alternate quarterbacks at different points during each game.
The 49ers have recently practiced giving both quarterbacks reps with the first-team offense, with Lance having some reps with some running plays specially designed for his skill set.
Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports gave fans some insight into 49ers’ practices recently, when she wrote:
“Lance’s series with the starting offensive line was more about what the head coach indicated he would do prior to the exhibition vs. Chargers. Shanahan wants to make sure the first team gets comfortable with plays designed to take advantage of Lance’s mobility.”
Reading Kyle Shanahan’s comments, it looks like he is very pleased with projected starting quarterback Jimmy Garroppolo up to this point.
“I think he’s just had more command at this time than he has any of the other years. Jimmy always gets there eventually, but I think he’s come in — just knowing what’s coming off my lips before it does.”
“Knowing exactly how to spit it out, where to go. When you don’t have to think and all that stuff’s effortless, the semantics of play calls and the offense, I think it’s a lot easier to play.”
When will Trey Lance take over?
Many fans want to know the answer when Trey Lance will take over for the 49ers. Since the 49ers spent so much draft capital (three first round picks) on Lance, fans and media will be eager to see him out on the football field. When will Lance take over?
Chris Biderman of the Sacramento Bee thinks that Garroppolo is just keeping the starting spot warm until Trey Lance is finally ready.
Time will tell when that time has finally come, but for now we’ll wait for the 49ers head coach to officially name his starting quarterback.
The San Francisco 49ers suit up next against the Oakland Raiders on August 29th. Kickoff is set for 4:00 PM EST.