Jimmy Garoppolo: 3 reasons why 49ers QB makes Pro Bowl in 2021

No. 1: 49ers want to boost Jimmy Garoppolo’s trade value anyway

Let’s not toy around with the idea that the Niners want to eventually be rid of Jimmy Garoppolo and move on with Trey Lance, potentially sooner than later.

In an ideal world, San Francisco would be able to trade Jimmy G at some point in the not-so-distant future, possibly to a quarterback-needy team in 2022, which would help the 49ers get out from under the bulk of his $27 million cap hit that year.

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If Garoppolo is benched or released, any hope of recouping some kind of draft capital via a trade goes out the window. And without first-round picks next year or in 2023, thanks to the trade-up for Lance, getting at least one modestly high-profile pick in return would be preferred.

Last year, perhaps because of the injuries on offense or his own injuries, Garoppolo was picking up chunk passing yards on modest 1-yard aerial distance-traveled shovel passes to wide receivers and running backs on jet sweeps and the like.

Statistically, the yards can be the same. But the voters, especially those choosing alternates, won’t be convinced unless Garoppolo succeeds in situations where he has to deliver in bigger ways.

Simply put, Kyle Shanahan isn’t going to dial Garoppolo back in 2021. The head coach will call for more aggressive plays, which will lead to one of two things:

1. Garoppolo delivers in a big way, thereby increasing his trade value
2. Garoppolo struggles in a big way, opening up the door for the transition to Lance

Shanahan might be hoping for the former while expecting the latter.

If the former happens, though, that might help Jimmy G earn some of those elusive Pro Bowl votes.

Even though you shouldn’t bet on it.