Miami were in the 'conversation' for Jimmy Garoppolo before 49ers backup became the starter,

Jimmy Garoppolo could have been facing San Francisco instead of playing for them vs. Miami this Sunday. 

Garoppolo, who was on the trade block this offseason, was available to teams throughout the league but ultimately the 49ers decided to keep hold of their backup. 

Now the starter, thanks to an injury to Trey Lance, Garoppolo revealed Miami were one of the teams interested in his signature in the summer. 

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has been a steadying force for the team

'Not much came from it, but they were definitely one of the teams in the conversation. It seemed like a good spot,' Garoppolo told reporters Thursday.

'As an offense, they had tremendous skill players, everything. Mike [McDaniel], being a great coach. It was discussed, but I'm glad the way things worked out.'

McDaniel was Garoppolo's offensive coordinator last season when the team made it to the NFC Championship, where they lost to the Los Angeles Rams.

Miami coach Mike McDaniel will face off against his former quarterback Sunday in Santa Clara

San Francisco are fortunate they kept hold of Garoppolo with sophomore starter Lance ruled out for the season after suffering a fractured ankle in Week 2. 

Miami must be equally grateful for not making a move at the position. 

Leaving Tua Tagovailoa in at the starter has paid off in spades, with the quarterback undefeated in games he's finished this season. 

Since coming in, Garoppolo has led the 49ers to a 7-3 record - which has them atop the NFCW

San Francisco (7-4) and Miami (8-3) meet in one of the most anticipated games of the season with both teams seen as Super Bowl contenders. 

It will be the first time McDaniel has faced off against his mentor Kyle Shanahan and represents something of a homecoming for the Yale graduate. 

Sunday's game will be a sliding doors moment for both franchises and by the end of 60 minutes, could mean so much more.