Jimmy Garoppolo: 3 reasons why 49ers QB makes Pro Bowl in 2021
By Peter Panacy
It sure doesn’t seem likely. But if 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is ever going to make the Pro Bowl, 2021 will have to be the season.
Would I want to bet money on San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo making his first-ever Pro Bowl after the upcoming 2021 season?
No.
There are a number of other Niners who have significantly greater chances of making the NFL all-star game to be held early in 2022, and Jimmy G shouldn’t be on that list.
But if there was a year in which Garoppolo feasibly could make the Pro Bowl, this season is it.
No, it’s not just because of the argument, “the game will be played this year, and all kinds of quarterbacks will either opt out or will be playing in the playoffs anyway.”
While that argument makes some sense (heck, quarterback Mitchell Trubisky was a Pro Bowler in 2018), let’s try to figure out some ways Garoppolo actually earns a Pro Bowl nod after 2021.
Even if the outcome seems unlikely.
Reasons why Jimmy Garoppolo makes Pro Bowl with 49ers after 2021
No. 1: Jimmy Garoppolo needed to be pushed
We have to assume here that San Francisco hangs onto Garoppolo for the entirety of the upcoming season, not benching or releasing him in a reactionary move of inserting the rookie, Trey Lance, in as starting quarterback.
Ever since joining the 49ers in the middle of 2017, Garoppolo has never had any true competition under center. No, Nick Mullens and C.J. Beathard weren’t coming for Jimmy G’s job. Nobody was between 2017 and 2020.
With Lance in the picture, Garoppolo knows he has to deliver. First, to ensure he remains the starter. Second, so he can ensure whatever contract he receives after his time with the Niners is a hefty one.
Good thing head coach Kyle Shanahan thinks a “pissed off” Jimmy G is good for his game, telling the following to NBC Sports Bay Area:
"I’m sure Jimmy was a little pissed off from [the trade up for Trey Lance] 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."
Now facing the real possibility of being benched, released or traded in 2021 because of Lance’s presence, Garoppolo shouldn’t have any shortage of motivation now to compete at a Pro Bowl-caliber level.