San Francisco 49ers: 5 potentially shocking 2021 roster cuts

No. 1: 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo

Last but not least, franchise quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

Imagine if newly acquired rookie sensation Trey Lance amazes the Niners front office so much this summer that they actually feel he could elevate this team higher than Garoppolo, sooner rather than later? If this were to be a reality, then the team would have no problem with cutting ties with Jimmy G and his costly $27 million price tag.

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The Niners would actually be able to save $25 million if they were to cut him this summer and would open up a plethora of possibilities for the team, roster-wise (hint: wide receiver Julio Jones).

For the record, I don’t think this would be very wise, as rookie quarterbacks usually don’t have the ability or experience to be consistent contributors from the jump, but this isn’t to say Garoppolo is safe from the dangers of rookie fever.

I think a lot of fans would be surprised to see the team take this direction, and it would undoubtedly cause a media uproar if the 49ers thrust Lance into the starting position from the jump, given this team’s Super Bowl expectations, but I can say I for one would love to see it.

Let’s see what happens this summer, but I can assure you one of these shocking moves will become a reality.