As we get closer to the season, teams are starting to release their unofficial depth charts for the 2022-23 NFL season, and the San Francisco 49ers certainly released a controversial one on Tuesday morning.
The 49ers‘ depth chart featured the expected names as the starters, but veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (seen above in a divisional round playoff game against the Green Bay Packers in January), who is expected to be traded at some point before the start of the 2022 season is shockingly listed as the team’s fourth-string quarterback behind Trey Lance, Nate Sudfeld, and Brock Purdy.
The first unofficial #49ers depth chart of the summer. pic.twitter.com/9oDtJlY0Z3
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) August 9, 2022
The team has already stated that they have moved on to Lance as the starter, but it is certainly interesting that Garoppolo doesn’t rank higher than fourth on their depth chart at the moment.
Many around the NFL world see this as extremely disrespectful for the 49ers to do this considering Garoppolo just helped lead the team to the NFC Championship game just a season ago.
Never in my life have I seen a QB who has led the team to 2/3 NFC Championship games and won 70 percent of his games as a starter listed as 4th string. This is a first for me in the 40 years I’ve been watching the NFL.
— Whatever it Takes (@danielkellybook) August 9, 2022
Who is the 4th string QB? Wonder if he will get any snaps.
— 49ersDaddy (@49ersDaddy) August 9, 2022
Wow. The Niners really think they are going to get anything of value for that 4th string QB?
— Pittsburgh Sports Brain (@PghSportsBrain) August 9, 2022
If there was any more indication needed that Garoppolo’s time in San Francisco is over, this certainly makes that very clear.
Garoppolo has been cleared to practice for the team after offseason shoulder surgery, but he is reportedly working off to the side instead. General manager John Lynch has called that a “good move for both parties“.
It’s currently very unclear where Garoppolo could land this season, as there is less than a month remaining before the first regular season game, and most teams have their quarterback situation figured out already at this point.
That being said, it is almost a guarantee that Garoppolo will not be in San Francisco next year. And this is further proof of that.
