49ers' 5 best player matchups to watch this season

San Francisco 49ers: 5 best player matchups to watch this season

By Aaron Tan | Apr 23, 2018

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 12: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers throws the ball against the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter during the NFC Divisional Playoff Game at Candlestick Park on January 12, 2013 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /

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LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 15: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins scores a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter at FedExField on October 15, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

No. 5: Jimmy Garoppolo vs. Kirk Cousins (Week 1 vs. Minnesota)

It is no secret Kyle Shanahan wanted Kirk Cousins when he came to Santa Clara to coach the 49ers.

Cousins spent his first year in the NFL with Shanahan as the offensive coordinator with the Washington Redskins. Cousins, like current Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay, was Shanahan’s mentee in Washington. He knows the Shanahan system and has a good relationship with him, so it is no surprise Shanahan wanted him as his quarterback in San Francisco.

But now Shanahan has Jimmy Garoppolo leading his offense instead. And he could not be more happy about that very fact.

This matchup will be very fun to watch because audiences will be witnessing two quarterbacks both coached by Shanahan going at it. That means we are going to see some very smart, great quarterback play.

This matchup is another reason to hope to sleep now and wake up during the start of the NFL season.