5 NFC West players 49ers would love to steal for 2022 playoff push

49ers NFC West Player to Steal No. 1: QB Matthew Stafford, Rams

Again, being honest, San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo isn’t able to carry the offense squarely on his shoulders, certainly not through the postseason, and he wasn’t able to do so in 2019 either, instead having to rely on the 49ers’ stout defense and strong running game.

Garoppolo is hurt anyway and might not see the field for some time. And while the Niners could turn to their rookie, Trey Lance, an immediate resolution would be to add a potent veteran via the NFC West steal market.

Some may argue for Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson over the Rams’ Matthew Stafford here, likely citing how “Stafford hasn’t won anything in the playoffs.”

Let’s fix that for you:

Stafford hasn’t

The Detroit Lions haven’t won anything in the playoffs.

Team sports, everyone. Quarterback wins aren’t a true stat.

At any rate, the decision for Stafford over Wilson is twofold, first with the admission Wilson hasn’t quite been the same in 2021 amid all the chaos the Seahawks have gone through over the year.

The other is the fact Stafford plays in a very San Francisco-like offense with the Rams under head coach Sean McVay, meaning the immediate transition from LA’s offense to that of 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan wouldn’t be too difficult.

Shanahan even admitted he was targeting Stafford last offseason, too, so that suggests a dream addition would have to include the veteran quarterback.

If only it could.