Jimmy Garoppolo received a bouquet of kind words Tuesday from 49ers' honchos John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan before the quarterback's expected offseason departure.
Their next communication likely will be to explain where Garoppolo is headed, or who might be interested in trading for him.
There was no official sendoff in the end-of-season press conference, but the vibe certainly centered on giving thanks to Garoppolo and teeing up Trey Lance for his 2022 takeover.
"I've got the ultimate respect for Jimmy, and I'm very excited about Trey," Shanahan said in the video conference with reporters. "Jimmy made it a lot harder (in 2021) because he's stayed healthy and he played like's he's capable, which is as one of the better quarterbacks in the league.
"We have to make some tough situations that won't be easy. I'm happy about that. It means you have the best scenario going. Jimmy will know everything as we go."
Garoppolo was able to stiff-arm his 49ers' departure this past season while Lance, the No. 3 picks, learned the NFL ropes, such as a seven-step dropback that's vital to play-action passing, as Shanahan detailed.
"No one wants to face the reality this thing may be ending. You put things like that off until after the season," Lynch said. "Man, this was a ride that had so many different turns in it.
"It was special just to sit with and let him we know how appreciative we are as an organization how he handled everything, the way he played, the toughness he exhibited, and just express my admiration for him and the way he handled everything, this season and during his time with us."
As for Lance, Shanahan wants the 21-year-old quarterback to take a couple of weeks off before his independent training in Southern California, where Shanahan wants him to isolate on throwing-motion work.
Lynch commended Lance's focus and work ethic. "I saw that competitive greatness you look for in people who are going to lead your organization. However brief it was, I saw it. It's there."
PRO BOWL ADDITIONS
Left guard Laken Tomlinson and center Alex Mack made Sunday's Pro Bowl as injury replacements. This is Tomlinson's first Pro Bowl nod, and he is scheduled to become a free agent for the first time in his career. It is Mack's seventh Pro Bowl.
Left tackle Trent Williams won' play in the Pro Bowl because of his ankle injury. Others elected in with him were defensive end Nick Bosa, wide receiver Deebo Samuel, tight end George Kittle and fullback Kyle Juszczyk.
RYANS RETAINED
Defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans texted Shanahan on the postgame bus ride that he would be declining a second interview with the Minnesota Vikings.
Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel will conduct a second interview with the Miami Dolphins on Thursday, said Shanahan, indicating that Bobby Slowick could be an in-house successor.
Their coaching search this week centers on the Rams' Kevin O'Connell (offensive coordinator) and Raheem Morris (defensive coordinator), the Giants' Pat Graham (defensive coordinator) and Michigan's Jim Harbaugh, the 49ers' coach in 2011-14, according to ESPN's Courtney Cronin.
