49ers should start quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo on Sunday

The San Francisco 49ers have their first win of the season and a week of rest after their bye week. Now they need to get their new franchise quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo, on the field.

We’re now over three weeks into the Jimmy Garoppolo era, and the San Francisco 49ers’ new franchise quarterback has yet to see the field. The time is now for the 49ers to debut their new face of the franchise.

We will learn a lot about the long-term plans of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch by who starts behind center this Sunday versus the Seattle Seahawks.

Does the 49ers’ front office want to win in 2018? Or will the Niners be in a similar position next year, with some fans hoping the team loses the rest of their games in exchange for higher draft picks in 2019?

San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

Garoppolo is an inexperienced QB who’s going to make mistakes. Would you rather those mistakes take place in Week 1 of 2018, or in less meaningful games this November?

No one expected the 49ers — who have won more games than they’ve lost just three of the last 15 years — to buck their losing trend in 2017. Shanahan and Lynch get a pass this year. But next year, the story will be different.

Shanahan and Lynch both have six-year deals, without offset language — meaning they’re not leaving any time soon. Still, the duo see the empty stands at Levi’s stadium, which translates into less money into their boss’ pocket — which makes for an less-than-pleased boss.

So far, Shanahan and Lynch appear to have free reign over personnel decisions. Would that change if they lose the trust of the ownership — and of 49ers fans?

There have been a number of arguments against starting Garoppolo; unfortunately, few hold any weight, and some even contradict each other:

“The 49ers need to lose the rest of their games to get a higher draft pick.” This argument has two faulty premises; first, that losing for high draft picks is a worthwhile endeavor (it’s not), and second, that the 49ers will definitely win more games with Garoppolo behind center.

“Garoppolo doesn’t have the playmakers to succeed.” Well, then the lose-for-picks crowd shouldn’t have any problem starting him. You also need to consider what “succeeding” really means — is it finishing the season 7-9, or is it seeing how your quarterback responds to in-game situations?

You’re going to need to see him play this season, and his playmakers aren’t going to get any better.

“You can’t bench C.J. Beathard after he played such a great game.” This is similar to a quote from Lynch last week. Of course, you can bench Beathard, because you’ve seen what you’ve needed to see from him this season. Beathard is a tough kid who can take big hits, but he’s a raw quarterback who was probably drafted too high, and needs time to develop. Instead of waiting a game for Beathard to return to form, sit him now. Then, when you really need him in the future, his last regular-season memory will be a commanding win, instead of a bad loss and a subsequent benching.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 29: C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers is sacked by Fletcher Cox #91 of the Philadelphia Eagles in the second quarter during their game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 29, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

“Garoppolo will get killed behind our offensive line.” This was a valid argument a few weeks ago, but less so after Staley’s return and a sack-free Week 10 — plus Garoppolo doesn’t have Beathard’s affinity for holding onto the ball too long. And again, you need to see him play this season, behind this offensive line that isn’t going to get any better.

“He doesn’t know the playbook.” Yes, the terminology is different and difficult, but we’re closing in on a month of preparation, and we keep hearing about how smart of a football player he is. Worst case scenario, book him a room at one of the two Holiday Inn Express hotels in Santa Clara on Saturday night.

More from Niner Noise

The 49ers need to see what they have in Garoppolo before they offer him a potential $100 million contract this offseason. The Niners have six remaining games, against a variety of different styles of defenses.

Why not debut him in front of the home crowd, against the injured secondary of the 49ers’ biggest rival?

Next: 49ers' remaining 2017 schedule

Last week, Lynch said the San Francisco 49ers don’t need Garoppolo right now.

I think they do.