SF 49ers: 3 players who have regressed most in 2020

No. 1: SF 49ers Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo

In what has become a touchy subject for fans of the SF 49ers, it seems necessary to bring up. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has quite visibly taken a step back in his growth as a franchise quarterback.

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It is important to note that he is the best quarterback on the team’s current roster. But he has not had a great 2020. Some will point to the fact that his ankle hasn’t been right since getting injured in Week 2 against the Jets. But his inefficiencies seem to go beyond that.

Through the first six games in 2019, Garoppolo’s threw for 1,314 yards with seven touchdowns and five interceptions. Through six games in 2020, he has the same touchdown to interception numbers but has only thrown for 1,096 yards.

There have been breakdowns in pass protection that have forced him to release balls a lot earlier than he would probably prefer. However, he has also struggled at times to read opposing defenses, many times looking as though he would prefer to force a ball to a covered receiver than make a second read.

In 2020, Garoppolo hasn’t looked like the quarterback who was voted to the No. 43 spot on the NFL Top 100 by his peers. He has struggled to the point that many are questioning if he will even be the starting quarterback on the team come next season.

With his current ankle injury though there still may be a chance he could return prior to the completion of the season. And with the SF 49ers’ playoffs hopes not being altogether gone, we very well could see Garoppolo return for the final few games of the regular season.

If he does return though he would be in a unique position. It would be a chance to prove himself and rehab his image, that of being an elite quarterback which has somewhat slipped away this season.