Jimmy Garoppolo: 4 questions 49ers QB must answer over rest of 2021
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: How much will Jimmy Garoppolo embrace Trey Lance?
Not surprisingly, Jimmy Garoppolo wasn’t too pleased with San Francisco’s aggressive trade-up to No. 3 overall in this year’s NFL Draft to grab Trey Lance. While Kyle Shanahan thought a “pissed-off Jimmy” would be good for the 49ers offense overall, the on-field results have generally been at Garoppolo’s norm.
At best, not bad. At worst, in need of a replacement.
The relationship between Garoppolo and Lance so far has been a quality one, at least based on reports, although Garoppolo did admit it was a bit tough to watch the rookie pass for the Niners’ first touchdown of the season way back in Week 1.
Still, there’s the thought of mentorship, a role Garoppolo is supposed to be serving towards Lance right now even if the latter isn’t playing much.
When the inevitable comes, at least if it happens this season, the key question will be just how much of a mentor Garoppolo will remain for Lance, made even more awkward by the fact San Francisco is finally putting the pieces on nearly a year-long sentiment of wanting to replace Jimmy G.
Garoppolo said he’d serve as that mentor earlier before the regular season began.
But it’ll be interesting to see if that dynamic changes at all if and when he’s named QB2 behind Lance for the remainder of 2021.