49ers roster 2021: Bubble watch ahead of preseason Week 1

49ers Bubble Watch: Quarterback

Lock: Jimmy Garoppolo, Trey Lance

Strong Bubble: Nate Sudfeld

Weak Bubble: Josh Rosen

Long Shot: None

Kyle Shanahan could be keeping his proverbial cards close to his chest. But essentially all the head coach’s comments have indicated Jimmy Garoppolo will be the Niners’ starting quarterback come Week 1.

San Francisco 49ers

Sure, this could be a ploy to suddenly reveal the No. 3 overall pick from this year’s draft, Trey Lance. Yet, understanding Shanahan’s historic preference for veterans over rookies, even at quarterback, it’s still likely Garoppolo gets the opening-day nod.

Either way, all signs point to both Garoppolo and Lance having no issues making the regular-season roster. That’s not where the bubble applies here.

Instead, it’s the battle for the No. 3 spot on the roster, which should be considered important in light of San Francisco fielding three different quarterbacks in two of the last three seasons.

The former first-round pick, Josh Rosen, might have had an upper hand earlier this offseason over Nate Sudfeld. But Shanahan made note how Rosen had taken a couple of steps in the wrong direction during the second week of camp.

Not good for Rosen’s roster chances.

Granted, if the 49ers are forced to rely on QB3 at any point this season for any elongated period of time, they’ll be in trouble.

For now, it’s looking like that last-ditch option is leaning in Sudfeld’s favor.