49ers must still start Jimmy Garoppolo over Trey Lance

The 49ers are still in good hands with Jimmy Garoppolo as the starter, which is why it’s imperative for him to start over Trey Lance.

Understandably, the San Francisco 49ers Faithful are ready to move on from quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

After the team sent a huge NFL  Draft package to the Miami Dolphins for rookie quarterback Trey Lance last spring, the fans want to see what the hype is truly about.

And not just in small snippets.

However, before you send Jimmy G packing without even a small “thank you” card, we have to realize he’s still the best option this team has right now. Yes, the future is in good hands with Lance, but the present is just fine with Garoppolo.

Both quarterbacks bring their style to the offense. Garoppolo is much more of a pocket passer with a small sampling of running ability, whereas Lance can bring the speed and accuracy out of the pocket.

Here’s the thing, though: Neither quarterback can succeed if the team around him falters.

We’ve seen it time and time again this season: Dropped passes from receivers, holes in the offensive line, muffed kick returns on special teams, what seems like a bazillion pass-interference calls on the defensive secondary. Garoppolo nor Lance can be at their best when the players around them keep making mistakes.

Against the Chicago Bears in Week 8, it seemed like all these faults got in the Halloween spirit and ghosted away. Garoppolo was able to throw for 322 yards and finish with a passer rating a touch over 100.

We even witnessed “early 49ers Jimmy G” with a couple of rushing touchdowns and the ability to scramble a bit more:

https://twitter.com/49ers/status/1454897040006189058?s=21

The offense didn’t allow punter Mitch Wishnowsky to punt because it knew he’d be sleep-deprived after his wife gave birth to their baby girl, the defense sacked Bears rookie quarterback Justin Fields four times, and even wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk got in on the fun with 45 yards receiving and 28 more on punt returns.

While watching the game, the broadcast showed Garoppolo hyping up his receivers after a rough series. Whatever the Chicago-native said, worked.

Read more: 49ers have to stick with Jimmy Garoppolo in Week 9 vs. Cardinals, right?

We didn’t get the mic’d up details of what Garoppolo was saying, but the fact he was over with his team clapping, encouraging, engaging, and leading is what still gives him the nod over Lance.

You can’t replace someone who’s seen his name plastered all over the newspapers and online articles in trade rumours, who’s still willing to lead his team. Who’s still willing to teach the rookie. Who’s willing to do what’s best for the team, whether it’s him or the kid.

During the San Francisco Giants playoff run, their motto was #ResilientSF. Maybe the quarterback who’s playing south of Oracle Park took the phrase for himself.

Injuries, trade rumors, a new quarterback who’s going to replace him full-time as early as this year depending on the playoff situation, Jimmy G has been resilient.

These next two weeks are extremely important for Garoppolo and the 49ers. They’re facing the hottest teams in the NFC West in the Arizona Cardinals this week and the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football the week after.

If Garoppolo can beat the Cardinals and bring the Niners to 4-4, the whole season changes. The NFC isn’t as strong as it once was. San Francisco has a chance to do something special if it so chooses.

And it starts with keeping Jimmy G in the driver’s seat.