49ers 5 toughest quarterback matchups for Jimmy Garoppolo in 2021
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: Week 3 — 49ers vs. Aaron Rodgers, Packers
Maybe this will be the year in which the Green Bay Packers finally get over the “hump” against a fully healthy 49ers squad — something they haven’t been able to do much of late, particularly looking back at those two one-sided wins the Niners enjoyed in 2019 including the NFC Championship game.
Like Russell Wilson, there has been no shortage of chatter surrounding Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and his immediate future. Will he force his way out of Green Bay?
All realistic signs point to “no,” as the Packers would be foolish to jettison the league MVP even if there is a disconnect between him and the franchise.
Either way, the Niners’ home opener this season will hopefully feature two healthy franchises unlike the one-sided loss San Francisco endured during its Thursday Night Football bout last year.
While that would likely include EDGE Nick Bosa being yet another disruptor against Rodgers, as was the case during the 2019 season, Jimmy Garoppolo can’t afford to be in a position where he’s committing turnovers, thereby giving Rodgers extra chances on the field.
In January of 2020, Kyle Shanahan took the ball out of Jimmy G’s hands, instead relying on running back Raheem Mostert and the ground attack to offset any threat Rodgers had.
That could end up being the case again in 2021, yet the reality of facing off against the defending MVP requires a Garoppolo-versus-Rodgers matchup to be included on this list.