49ers owner makes bold comparison with Jimmy Garoppolo, Trey Lance situation

San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York did not shy away from a very bold comparison about his team’s current quarterback situation.

With the 49ers struggling to trade Jimmy Garoppolo but committed to Trey Lance as the starter in 2022, there is some suggestion that the team may be forced to keep both quarterbacks on the roster. York is embracing that possibility, and even invoked Steve Young and Joe Montana when addressing it.

“If Steve Young can sit on the bench for four seasons … Steve Young is a Hall of Famer. If he’s willing to do it and he has the competitive drive to do it, why can’t somebody else?” York said Wednesday. “I think those two drove each other in the late ’80s and early ’90s to be the best that they can possibly be, if that’s the situation that we have, sign me up for that problem any day.”

No disrespect to Garoppolo, but he is not Joe Montana. Similarly, Lance has a long way to go before he can be compared to Young. York’s point is that two starting quarterbacks can coexist in his mind, but the comparison to two Hall of Famers is probably a bit much.

Garoppolo has been available for trade, but interest has been so limited that the 49ers may be forced to keep him. There is a lot of time for that to change, but with most quarterback-needy teams having already acted, the possibility is certainly growing.

Photo: Sep 26, 2021; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) walks on the field before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports