The San Francisco 49ers have given quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo’s agents permission to seek a trade. Garoppolo was cleared to resume practicing as he continues recovering from shoulder surgery.

The 30-year-old has been with San Francisco since 2017, starting in 45 games during that span. Trade rumors have swirled around him since the 49ers drafted Trey Lance with the third overall pick last season. San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan said back in May: “I expect at sometime, most likely, he’ll be traded, but who knows. That’s not a guarantee. It went on hold when it (surgery) happened. When he’s healthy we’ll see what happens.”

The 49ers have all but confirmed Trey Lance will be the starting quarterback this season now that they are giving Garoppolo permission to look elsewhere for a new home in 2022.  Lance, who served as the backup to Garoppolo in his rookie season, completed 41 of 71 passes (57.7%) for 603 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions, while rushing 38 times for 168 yards and a touchdown.

Garoppolo completed 68.3% of his passes for 3,810 yards with 20 touchdowns to 12 interceptions last season, recording a 98.7 passer rating and leading the league in yards per completion (12.7). He was second in the league in completion rate (71.1%), and his 8.64 yards per attempt were second in the NFL.

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