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5 things Kyle Shanahan, 49ers need to accomplish during Week 4 bye

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers looks on during warm ups prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Levi's Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers looks on during warm ups prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Levi's Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 22: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Levi’s Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 22: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Levi’s Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Develop Chemistry between Jimmy Garoppolo and His Receivers

One of the reasons why the 49ers offense has looked disjointed, at times, has been the play from quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

Garoppolo has looked good. But at times, particularly in Week 1, Garoppolo had some rusty moments, too. OK, so his Week 3 numbers against the Steelers weren’t necessarily great, including two interceptions, yet his overall numbers on the year still don’t reflect those expected from a $137.5 million signal-caller.

A key reason why could be the relative lack of chemistry with his receiving targets. After all, Garoppolo only has elongated chemistry with two names: wide receiver Marquise Goodwin and tight end George Kittle. Slot receiver Trent Taylor (foot) is out, so he hasn’t been a factor.

San Francisco’s other two top targets, wide receivers Deebo Samuel and Dante Pettis, are still experiencing only their first few games with Garoppolo under center.

And there’s more than enough film evidence to suggest some of these other targets haven’t always been on the same page as Garoppolo.

Through three weeks, the 49ers offense has managed a nice total of 1,263 yards. But only 738 of them have come through the air, which puts Kyle Shanahan’s pass offense at No. 20 overall.

Getting Garoppolo in sync with his receiving options would go a long way to change that.