49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo resumes throwing following shoulder surgery

Jimmy Garoppolo‘s March shoulder surgery is likely the reason he remains with the 49ers. Despite almost every team having addressed its quarterback position, the 49ers will still try to collect an asset for their longtime starter. A change in Garoppolo’s status will help on that front.

The rehabbing QB has resumed throwing, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. In fact, Garoppolo began throwing two or three weeks ago, per Barrows. Garoppolo, 30, has rehabbed in the Los Angeles area; the 49ers excused him from their minicamp last month.

Signaling no setbacks have occurred, this news moves the 49ers’ planned separation from Garoppolo closer to reality. Still, Garoppolo’s trade value suffered because of the surgery — one that occurred nearly two months after Baker Mayfield‘s. While the former Browns QB underwent surgery on his non-throwing shoulder, Garoppolo’s right shoulder issue further complicated his status.

Several teams filled their QB needs via trade, including the Panthers, which took a Garoppolo landing spot off the table last week by acquiring Mayfield. Barring an injury, it is difficult to locate an obvious Garoppolo suitor. Prior to the surgery, the 49ers were holding out hope for a Day 2 pick in exchange for Garoppolo, who has gone 37-16 as their starter since 2017. While they received two second-round picks for Alex Smith nine years ago, no injuries clouded that move, and the 2013 offseason brought more of a seller’s market than this offseason presented at quarterback.

The Seahawks have done their due diligence on Garoppolo, but after holding out on a Mayfield trade, the 49ers’ NFC West rivals may again stick to their guns and wait for the other long-rumored trade candidate to hit free agency. The 49ers are going to let Garoppolo’s camp discuss his now-onerous contract with other teams, but the prospect of the ninth-year passer’s $24.2M salary becoming guaranteed in Week 1 hovers over this drawn-out trade saga.