SF 49ers: Who will be the starting quarterback in 2021?

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Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

SF 49ers Option No. 3: The Gamble — Sam Darnold (5%)

The NY Jets pulling off their first win over the LA Rams in Week 15 and another win in Week 16 over the Cleveland Browns cost them the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and a surefire path to Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

Now, that path is owned by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Still, there are plenty of other high-profile quarterbacks available early in April’s draft. With a likely new regime change coming for Gang Green, Jets quarterback Sam Darnold could be nothing more than a lame duck in New York.

Darnold, who is now associated with the “bust” moniker after being selected No. 3 overall in the 2018 draft, never had the benefit of good coaching, a decent offensive line or playmakers around him.

If he’s out from the Jets in 2021, he’d at least be a cheaper option for the SF 49ers even if he’s a total reclamation project.