During a year of major quarterback movement, the 49ers experienced a particularly interesting offseason. San Francisco surrendered a historic haul to move up for Trey Lance. Had the Matthew Stafford sweepstakes ended a bit differently, Lance would be preparing to take the starting reins for another team.
Kyle Shanahan confirmed the 49ers were in the mix for Stafford. The fifth-year HC spent multiple weeks studying Stafford, whom the Lions made available in late January. The 49ers are one of several teams to be interested in the former No. 1 overall pick, but the Rams ended up finalizing an agreement to land him on the night of Jan. 30 — to Shanahan’s chagrin.
“I was studying it all. … I remember looking through it because everybody was telling me it was a possibility,” Shanahan said, during an appearance on The Ringer’s Flying Coach podcast with Sean McVay and Peter Schrager (via NFL.com), of a potential trade to acquire the 12-year veteran. “Stafford’s the man. I studied him hard coming out of college, and you always play against him, so you know how good he is.
“But to know he might be available and to spend two weeks really watching him, Sean, yeah, he’s better than I realized.”
The 49ers are not believed to have made a firm offer for Stafford, but the 33-year-old passer knew of San Francisco’s interest. Washington and Carolina did make offers — each involving first-round picks and change — while Denver’s proposal included a first-round pick swap. At least six teams sent the Lions proposals. The Rams ponied up for Stafford to replace Jared Goff, sending Goff, two first-rounders and a 2021 third for Detroit’s longtime starter.
“That was frustrating. I was in Cabo,” Shanahan said of the Rams’ acquiring Stafford, who joined McVay in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, at the time of the agreement as well. “… I remember Saturday I was so stressed out and finally we talked to someone, it was seven at night, and they’re like, ‘No, nothing’s happening (with a trade) at the earliest until tomorrow, so you can finish your night.’
“Half an hour later, my buddy calls me and is like, ‘I’m just telling ya, if you want Stafford, you need to get a hold of him right now.’ I’m like, ‘What do you mean? We just talked to people. I can sleep on this. We’ll talk to them tomorrow.’ ‘I’m just telling you, you need to talk to him right now.’ And then it was all over.”
McVay added that the Rams-Lions trade came together faster than he expected. The Rams are now eyeing a five- to eight-year partnership with their recently acquired QB.
January’s Stafford proceedings led the 49ers to look to the draft for a potential upgrade on Jimmy Garoppolo. They joined the Rams in trading their 2022 and ’23 first-round picks for a quarterback, sending those to the Dolphins to move up nine spots for Lance. If the 49ers’ plans go accordingly, the NFC West will feature Stafford-Lance matchups for the next several years. The teams’ competition for Stafford certainly adds intrigue to this rivalry.
I’m confused. Mcvay and shannahan were in Cabo together ?
Yah I’m confused too…. I thought McVay and Stafford were together in Cabo right after the trade
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I get that it’s an open secret that San Fran was attempting to move on from Jimmy G, but they do still need him for at least a year. As long as they need him to play games, continuously volunteering updates about how much they loved other quarterbacks is not helping that situation. They don’t have much longer with him, so waiting until Garappolo is gone isn’t too much to ask of the team to give out updates about their process of dumping him.
This update is worse in my mind than the praises they heaved into Lance; in Lance’s case, a veteran expects a team to look to the future with a young player, and Lance will not play immediately. In Stafford’s case, a trade for him instantly moves Garappolo out of the picture, making clear to Garappolo that HE was the problem in management’s eyes. Now Garappolo sees this and still is asked to win games for the people who did not have confidence in him. Sometimes, as an organization, it’s best to just keep certain facts to yourself. It doesn’t benefit you to just tell a reporter anything you feel like saying all the time, especially when it comes to rumors.
I was thinking the same exact thing! It’s really unnecessary for Shanahan and co to keep shading Jimmy with all this talk about wanting to upgrade at QB. Idk why Jimmy won’t force his way out to be honest.
Good guy Jimmy. I hope he does great and moves on to another team.
No way Stafford plays 8 more years. Not after the abuse he took in Detroit behind those horrid OLs.
I wouldn’t sign Stafford for anything more than 4 years unless there’s a ton of opt outs. Great guy, strong guy, but he’s hurt his back several times carrying the Lions. Scared he’ll breakdown sooner than people think. A la Tony Romo.
Agreed with and sooner. Stafford’s been beat up a lot, as Romo was early in his career. No matter how tough, injuries and recovery take a lot out of a player. Brady has played as long as he has in part because, outside of an ACL tear, he really hasn’t been beat up too much. Brees is the only other QB to remain a top player around that age, even though everyone seems to expect that from QBs now. Projecting that expectation onto a guy like Stafford who has been a human punching bag really is not realistic.
I guess if the “ Genius” who by the way hasn’t produced, blew 2 huge Super Bowl leads and needed a QB he wouldn’t be somewhere “waiting till the morning. “
Jimmy G is going to have a short career in SF. Lance will end up starting halfway through this upcoming season. I believe Jimmy G will get traded at the deadline
BREAKING!
Kyle Shanahan confirms that the 49ers were poised to compete for the Super Bowl during the 2020 season according to anonymous sources.
Hard not to be impressed by a HC that makes sleep his top priority.
Bud Grant retired after the 1983 season because the last of his kids had just graduated from college, and he didn’t need the money anymore. He only came back in 1985 to restore some order and respectability to the team after the Les Steckel disaster, and retired after the one season. All before he was even 60. Loved that.