5 biggest takeaways from 49ers waterlogged loss vs. Colts

No. 1: Trey Lance needs to be in at quarterback for 49ers

Jimmy Garoppolo is going to catch a lot of the blame for San Francisco’s loss, right up there with Kyle Shanahan for all that went wrong.

Sure, Garoppolo had a handful of impressive moments, including a three-play, 70-yard drive that culminated in a touchdown pass to Deebo Samuel. But when one factors in that was Garoppolo’s lone touchdown drive and Colts quarterback Carson Wentz outdueled Jimmy G to the tune of two touchdowns and zero interceptions, albeit a lost fumble that was initially ruled a pick, Garoppolo’s own two-interception game doesn’t look so hot.

The further the 49ers slip away from playoff contention, the bigger the need for Shanahan to make some sort of bold change.

And it should happen under center with Trey Lance.

Granted, going with a high-profile backup under center is always the popular choice for a struggling team. But in the Niners’ case, Garoppolo isn’t exactly making plays or running the offense in a way Lance can’t right now. If anything, letting Lance take hold of the reins right now would at least provide a spark San Francisco so desperately needs.

It would also prompt the inevitable shift towards the future, too, and the 49ers need that just as much.