San Francisco 49ers: 4 players who bounce back strong in 2021

No. 1: 49ers Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo

One of the things quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has never faced since taking over starting duties for the 49ers is pressure from his on-roster competition.

And, no, then-backup quarterbacks Nick Mullens and C.J. Beathard don’t count.

Garoppolo was another one of the many players suffering injuries last year, him going through two high-ankle sprains that ultimately limited him to just six games, 1,096 pass yards and a 7-to-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

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Not good at all.

The injuries convinced the Niners to move up in the NFL Draft and select North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance. So, for the first time with the team, Garoppolo now faces a real threat just behind him on the roster.

It didn’t initially sit well with Garoppolo, as Kyle Shanahan told reporters shortly after the trade-up:

"I’m sure Jimmy was a little pissed off from it just like I would be. But me knowing Jimmy, he will be fired up and come in and work his butt off. The more mad Jimmy gets, usually the better he gets."

An improved offensive line, healthy crop of pass-catchers and a “pissed off” Jimmy G could equate to a campaign not too unlike what he enjoyed in 2019 en route to a Super Bowl appearance and nearly 4,000 yards thrown.

And if that helps improve Garoppolo’s trade value in 2022, San Francisco will take it.