SF 49ers: Exploring 4 options team has for Jimmy Garoppolo in 2021
By Peter Panacy
No. 1: SF 49ers keep Jimmy Garoppolo but draft his eventual replacement
The Niners have an advantage in that Jimmy Garoppolo is under contract next season.
Well, the next two seasons. But it’s 2021 that’s important.
San Francisco 49ers
The 2021 NFL Draft is notably deep at quarterback. While San Francisco is all but out of contention for top quarterbacking prospects like Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence and Ohio State’s Justin Fields, barring a trade-up, some other first-round possibilities could be there wherever the 49ers end up drafting.
It’s why names like BYU’s Zach Wilson and North Dakota State’s Trey Lance have risen a lot lately in SF 49ers discussion rooms.
Sure, the Niners grabbing a Round 1 quarterback would all but determine Garoppolo’s days in San Francisco are numbered, as the rookie would be the obvious heir apparent. And it’s anyone’s guess what kind of chemistry that would generate between Jimmy G and a first-year signal-caller.
Keep in mind, though, backup quarterbacks Nick Mullens and C.J. Beathard are both poised to be free agents in 2021, the latter of the unrestricted variety. There’s a chance neither winds up being on the depth chart next season, and Garoppolo could certainly benefit from having someone else on the roster to push him for starting duties.
Next. 5 likely destinations for Jimmy Garoppolo if 49ers move on. dark
And potentially off the roster altogether.
All cap and contractual figures courtesy of Over the Cap.