Predicting 49ers quarterback depth chart heading into 2022 season

Ahh yes, here we go with another hot take on the 49ers quarterback conundrum. Predicting the depth chart heading into 2022 is no easy task but one that is certainly worth discussing.

Once the new league year began, teams around the NFL wasted very little time making roster adjustments. There has been a ton of action since the start of free agency on March 16, from future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady unretiring to wide receiver Tyreek Hill getting traded to the Miami Dolphins, this has been an extremely active period for the league.

As the quarterback dominos continue to fall and more clubs fill that void, one team that was expected to pounce on the first logical opportunity was the San Francisco 49ers.

The general consensus, at least to those outside the building, about the quarterback room was the Niners were going to move on from Jimmy Garoppolo, thereby paving the way for last year’s No. 3 overall NFL Draft pick, Trey Lance, to assume full-time duties under center.

Much to the dismay of many folks who’ve grown weary of the nine-year vet, Garoppolo is still currently on the roster. Unless there’s an irresistible offer on the table for Jimmy G, I fully anticipate San Francisco starting the season with him, at least until the 2022 NFL trade deadline.

While it appears like the 49ers may enter the season with Garoppolo on the roster, Lance seems primed for a new era to begin in the Bay Area. Earlier this month, reports came out of 49ers camp regarding his playing status for the upcoming season, and Lance has been reassured that he will be the Niners’ starting QB in 2022.

Regardless of the fact Garoppolo remains on the team for the start of the season, having a proven backup with extensive knowledge and familiarity of the system on the roster is not the worst move in the world.

Of course, things are a little more complicated when you factor in all of the financial scenarios. However, if San Francisco’s brass can manage an equitable restructure for Garoppolo’s $25-plus million dollar contract he’s due to make this year, then perhaps it’ll be a feasible move for the club.

Predicting 49ers 2022 quarterback depth chart

I’m sure there are plenty of folks out there who would love for the team to distance themselves as much as they can from Garoppolo. However, the fact still remains that he’s the most successful quarterback under head coach Kyle Shanahan.

Lance has a slightly different playing style from Garoppolo, which may expose him to additional hits and subsequent injuries. Of course, we dread the thought of another significant injury to one of the team’s star players, but it’s football for crying out loud and unexpected things happen more often than not.

Read More: 49ers are victims of bad timing with Jimmy Garoppolo trade attempt

Aside from Garoppolo and Lance on the depth chart, San Francisco also re-signed four-year veteran Nate Sudfeld. The move was made with the belief that Sudfeld would become the primary backup for Lance in 2022.

But with Garoppolo still on the roster and no imminent offer on the table for him, it’s quite conceivable San Francisco will enter the season with the same QB room as 2021:

1. Trey Lance
2. Jimmy Garoppolo
3. Nate Sudfeld

To be quite honest, keeping Jimmy G for one more year might pay huge dividends in the long run towards the professional development of Lance.  Regardless of who’s on the roster come opening day, the ultimate goal of winning remains the same for whichever signal-caller is under center.