49ers depth chart: 3 crucial decisions Kyle Shanahan must make for Week 7

No. 1: Will Kyle Shanahan choose Jimmy Garoppolo or Trey Lance?

Without question, the No. 1 decision Kyle Shanahan has to make for Week 7 is which quarterback he wants under center, Jimmy Garoppolo or the rookie, Trey Lance.

Garoppolo’s Week 4 calf injury prematurely forced Shanahan’s hand in Week 5, setting the stage for the No. 3 overall NFL Draft pick’s first start, which didn’t necessarily go well, as Lance was 15-of-29 passing for 192 yards, an interception but with 89 yards rushing. In light of Lance not being wholly prepared for the contest, it’s an entirely different argument altogether if Shanahan should have embraced the competition he truthfully has on his hands.

Still, and despite his efforts to move on from Garoppolo during the offseason, Shanahan has nevertheless insisted Garoppolo is “the guy” under center.

At least right now.

The problem, though, is Garoppolo’s ceiling has handcuffed the Niners offense through four games played. Aside from a handful of drives here and there, such as early in Week 1 and in catch-up time in Week 3, Garoppolo has failed to be overly impressive.

And while Lance still has plenty of development to achieve, even his raw skill set gives San Francisco much more potency.

It might be the right move, both for now and in the long run, for the 49ers to start playing Lance. But Shanahan’s decision could easily revert back to Garoppolo.