Why the 49ers Should Wait Until 2018 to Address the Quarterback Position
With Colin Kaepernick to opt out of his contract, the 49ers have no quarterbacks on the roster. There’s no need for Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch to panic, they just need to be patient until 2018. Let’s take a look at why the 49ers need to wait one more season to find a franchise quarterback.
If the reports are true and Colin Kaepernick opts out of his contract, then the 49ers will have no quarterback on their roster.
Think about that for a second.
Coming into last season, aside from Kaepernick, the 49ers had quarterbacks Blaine Gabbert, Thad Lewis and Jeff Driskel. Due to a season-ending injury to Lewis and the release of Driskel, the 49ers added veteran QB Christian Ponder.
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All of those names are currently free agents and might not be back with the 49ers next season. But here’s why Kyle Shanahan and Co. shouldn’t panic for a quarterback and mortgage the future.
The quarterbacks that the 49ers have been linked to most this offseason are Kirk Cousins and Jimmy Garappolo. Let’s take a look at why they shouldn’t go after them this year.
The Redskins went ahead and placed the exclusive franchise tag on Kirk Cousins and he will not be able to negotiate with any other teams.
Although he might not be able to speak with the 49ers as a free agent, there were reports that the Redskins would consider trading Cousins if they were blown away by the offer.
The report from Pro Football Talk also mentions the trade offer would need to be similar to what the Redskins gave up for QB Robert Griffin III in 2012.
Just to remind fans, the Redskins gave up three — yes, three — first-round picks and a second-round pick to move up the second overall pick to draft Griffin.
The 49ers should balk at the Redskins if they wanted a similar package in return for Cousins. They shouldn’t mortgage valuable picks in return for an above-average quarterback.
The other name that’s been primarily linked to the 49ers is Garappolo. A report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter mentioned that the New England Patriots wouldn’t trade their backup QB this offseason.
In a move that will have a ripple effect on all QB-needy teams, Patriots are not expected to trade QB Jimmy Garoppolo, per league sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 1, 2017
Realistically, I think Bill Belichick is just trying to field a more competitive offer for Garappolo. Belichick knows, with Cousins off the block, he has the best quarterback trade asset on the market.
Earlier reports indicated that a first- and a fourth-round pick would be the starting point in a trade for Garappolo. Again, these are valuable picks that the 49ers shouldn’t be giving up for a quarterback who has only made two career starts.
Garappolo may have the potential to be a franchise quarterback, but Shanahan shouldn’t panic and trade away valuable picks for him this offseason.
Well with no franchise quarterback — that’s apparent — walking through the door in 2017, here’s why the 49ers should be patient and wait for 2018.
Let’s take a look at some college and free-agent options in 2018 the 49ers could build around.