It is possible Jimmy Garoppolo has played his last snap for the San Francisco 49ers.
According to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, most “league insiders” believe that the 49ers will move on from Garoppolo as quarterback if there are better options available.
This is contrary to recent comments made by head coach Kyle Shanhanan and GM John Lynch, who both threw their support behind Garoppolo as the team’s quarterback.
The latter part of Mortensen’s report should be noted, too, in which he says “if there is a better option.” The Niners likely won’t find Garoppolo’s successor through the draft unless they can trade up, leaving them with free agents and trades.
There are a few notable names who could be available in the trade market, such as Carson Wentz, Matthew Stafford, Matt Ryan and Sam Darnold – although Ryan’s contract will be nearly impossible for the Falcons to move. The Patriots reportedly plan to move on from Cam Newton while Jameis Winston is also expected to hit the free agent market.
The question then becomes whether or not any of those aforementioned quarterbacks are better than Garoppolo, or if it would be a lateral move?
Garoppolo has had success in San Francisco, compiling a 22-8 record as a starter and reaching the Super Bowl last year, but his injuries continue to keep him off the field and he has developed into more of a game manager type quarterback when he is on the field.
Whether or not the 29-year-old can rise up to be an elite quarterback is the question, and with the Niners built to contend for a Super Bowl, they may no longer have the patience to continue to wait and see.
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