2022 was supposed to mark the official coming out party for San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance.
It still may be. But Monday's deal to retain Jimmy Garoppolo pumps the brakes on his coronation.
After failed efforts to offload the veteran quarterback via trade this offseason, the 49ers reportedly agreed to a one-year, $6.5 million guaranteed contract with Garoppolo on Monday that includes an additional $9.5 million in bonuses largely attached to playing time. The deal arrived hours before Tuesday's deadline to cut NFL rosters to 53 players and makes Garoppolo the league's highest-paid backup quarterback.