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The roller coaster that is the San Francisco 49ers 2022 season continued on Sunday. The ride began far before the Niners even played their first game, as months of trade talks surrounding quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo eventually ended with him signing a new contract with San Fran.
But that was merely the start.
Garoppolo began the season as the backup behind 2021 first-round pick Trey Lance. But it took just two weeks for Lance to suffer a season-ending ankle injury. In stepped Garoppolo and the Niners have looked like a Super Bowl contender ever since.
San Francisco is 7-3 under Garoppolo and recently added reinforcements after trading for superstar running back Christian McCaffrey. Though it appears that move may be all for naught. Garoppolo suffered a season-ending injury of his own on Sunday when he suffered a foot fracture in a win over the Miami Dolphins. Though head coach Kyle Shanahan isn’t quite ready to waive the white flag.
Third-string QB and rookie Brock Purdy came on and looked solid in place for Garoppolo. Purdy went 25-of-37 for 210 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in the 33-17 win. But many wondered if San Francisco might prefer a more veteran options.
One name, in particular, found its way to the front of the conversation.
Kyle Shanahan Shoots Down Talk Of 49ers Signing Baker Mayfield
The Carolina Panthers cut ties with former No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield on Monday. That came just five months after the team traded for Mayfield from the Cleveland Browns.
It didn’t take long for fans to wonder whether the former Heisman Trophy winner might be a good fit for the now incredibly shorthanded 49ers.
Shanahan wasted no time in shutting that talk down.
“We look into everything, but that would surprise me right now,” Shanahan said. “We’ve got to discuss more this afternoon and stuff. I’ve always been a fan of his, but I feel really good about our players. We’ll look into everything, but I feel pretty good with where we’re at right now.” – via ESPN
The Niners signed veteran NFL backup Josh Johnson on Friday, but it appears that Purdy will man the starting job for the foreseeable future.
As for Mayfield, it appears his options for continuing his NFL career are slowly beginning to dwindle.