Kyle Shanahan reveals 49ers plan at quarterback for 2023 with Tom Brady retired

In the aftermath of Tom Brady’s retirement, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed where the team’s loyalties lie in the quarterback room for the upcoming season.

No Tom Brady? No problem. San Francisco 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan wasn’t gunning for him anyway — or so he says.

In a Wednesday presser, Shanahan told reporters that the team does not plan on adding any high-profile veteran quarterback this offseason. Following Tampa Bay’s early playoff exit, Tom Brady was one highly rumored target for the 49ers, as was Green Bay Packers’ Aaron Rodgers and Las Vegas Raiders’ Derek Carr.

Shanahan nonetheless expressed full commitment to the current starters on the team, 2022 ninth-rounder Brock Purdy and 2021 first-rounder Trey Lance, and also dismissed the notion that Jimmy Garoppolo would return for 2023.

When asked about the possibility of Garoppolo returning next year, Shanahan shut the reporter down and said, “No, I don’t see any scenario of that.”

Last year, San Francisco put Garoppolo on the trade block but when the team found no takers, the veteran quarterback stayed with the team on a reduced contract. Garoppolo is now set to be an unrestricted free agent and has his pick of a handful of quarterback-needy teams in 2023.

49ers’ Brock Purdy and Trey Lance will spar for starting QB job while Tom Brady enjoys retirement

As for the 49ers’ young quarterback room, both Purdy and Lance are currently rehabbing their respective injuries with Lance appearing more advanced in his recovery.

Purdy diagnosed with a fully torn ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow that he suffered in the NFC Championship game. He has yet to finalize his plan for surgery, but assuming he goes through with the procedure, the team is hopeful he can recover to full strength after six months.

Lance, who fractured his fibula and suffered ankle ligament damage in Week 2 of the 2022 season, underwent his second ankle surgery and is expected to be ready by OTAs in May.

San Francisco will likely add another player to its quarterback room for insurance purposes, yet Tom Brady is firmly out of the equation and it doesn’t seem like Shanahan has his eyes on any other well-established veteran in the league.

Shanahan’s latest comments imply the 49ers are wholly confident in their young starting quarterbacks for 2023. The only question is: Who’s first-string?