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San Francisco 49ers: 10 players who have a lot to prove in 2019

By Peter Panacy

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass during the first half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass during the first half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 03: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 3, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Kena Krutsinger/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 03: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 3, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Kena Krutsinger/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo

There has been so much activity surrounding the 49ers and their defense the past year-plus, it’s almost possible to completely forget about their franchise quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo.

Almost.

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Either way, there’s going to be a lot riding on Garoppolo’s expectation level this upcoming season. First, there’s the contract — the five-year, $137.5 million deal, which at the time, made him the league’s highest-paid signal-caller.

And when you consider the 27-year-old quarterback still has just 10 NFL starts under his belt, you can see why there could be some concerns heading into 2019.

There’s going to be the pressure of successfully engineering the offense, of course. But for Garoppolo and the 49ers, there are the long-term questions and ramifications, too. Many of those stem from his contract numbers.

Heading into year two of that five-year contract, Garoppolo’s total cap number will increase by $7.25 million in 2020 from the $19.35 million he’s poised to make this season. If Garoppolo fails to deliver anywhere close to expected levels, it could potentially lead to a very tough decision. It’s far too early for that, of course, but the reality of it is there.

And, of course, there’s that ACL injury from last year, which is always cause for wonder and concern.