Predicting 49ers starting lineups after 1st wave of NFL free agency
By Peter Panacy
The 49ers underwent some major changes in the opening wave of NFL free agency, which means predicting the 2023 starting lineups should be fun.
Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana’s prediction and suggestion that the San Francisco 49ers should somehow stick it out with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in 2023 ultimately won’t come true.
That’s because Garoppolo was one of a number of now-former Niners starters who departed the team via NFL free agency.
With Garoppolo off to the Las Vegas Raiders, and a number of others who’ll don new uniforms in 2023, head coach Kyle Shanahan and Co. are left to hope that replacements and new faces are going to be good enough to keep San Francisco in Super Bowl contention.
On the surface, it still looks as if that’ll be the case even if Garoppolo’s departure means some uncertainty at quarterback between Trey Lance and Brock Purdy, depending on who’s more competent and healthy.
Right there, though, we can start making predictions.
Should the 49ers start Lance or Purdy under center? Both are coming off serious injuries, both have their upsides and downsides, and there can be strong cases in favor of both.
And what about the Niners offensive line? How about the defensive line or the secondary?
Yes, there are fair questions to look at with regard to the starting lineup. So, with that as a backdrop, let’s take a stab at predicting what the offensive and defensive starting lineups will be after the opening waves of NFL free agency in 2023.