Top QB in ’ 21? 49ers ‘ expect’ it to be Garoppolo
It wasn’t a guarantee. And it was followed with words that were less assertive.
Still, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan offered a fairly direct answer Tuesday when asked about quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo’s future with the franchise beyond 2020.
“I expect Jimmy to be our starter next year,” Shanahan said.
That was a stronger statement than general manager John Lynch provided last week when he said the 49ers had “a lot of belief” in Garoppolo in an endorsement that made no mention of his 2021 employment status.
On Tuesday, Shanahan went on to discuss 2020. He is hopeful Garoppolo can return this season from a high ankle sprain that’s forced him to miss four games and currently has him on injured reserve.
The 49ers entered their bye week with a 46 record, but Shanahan repeatedly noted they remain in the playoff picture. In discussing how Garoppolo could be part of a lateseason playoff push, Shanahan did seem to ease away slightly from his earlier statement: He might “expect” Garoppolo to be the 49ers’ starting QB in 2021, but that expectation could be altered.
“We’ve got to ( make the playoffs) one game at a time and I hope Jimmy can be a part of that, but to think that we’ve made any decisions on anybody going into the future isn’t the case,” Shanahan said. “Jimmy has won a lot of games for us … It’s a lot harder to win games when he’s not here. Just hoping we can get him back” this season.
Garoppolo has visited Dr. Robert Anderson, a foot specialist, in Green Bay, Wis., since reinjuring his ankle in a loss at Seattle on Nov. 1, and Anderson didn’t recommend surgery. Shanahan said Garoppolo recently got out of his walking boot. Garoppolo was expected to miss a minimum of six weeks, meaning the most optimistic timeline for his return would be a Dec. 13 home game against Washington.
If and when Garoppolo returns, Shanahan hopes he’ll be playing in games that matter.
“Hoping that we can change a little bit of our outcomes so that when he does come back, and, hopefully, a few other people, ( they’re) coming back for a reason,” Shanahan said. “But Jimmy did have a really bad ankle injury. It’s good that he didn’t have to surgery because that’s what gives him a chance. … I think we’re a little ways from getting there, but that’s what I’m holding out hope for.”
Shanahan hopes the 49ers can replicate one of his past teams by overcoming an ugly start to reach the playoffs. He was the offensive coordinator in 2012 when Washington went into its bye week with a 36 record and finished the regular season on a sevengame winning streak.
On Tuesday, Shanahan said cornerback Richard Sherman ( calf ), wide receiver Deebo Samuel ( hamstring) and running backs Raheem Mostert ( ankle) and Tevin Coleman ( knee) could return when the 49ers visit the Rams on Nov. 29. Those players have combined to miss 27 games this season.
“I know we’re going to get some guys back who help us, but we can’t count on those guys coming back like they’re just going to be the answer,” Shanahan said. “Those guys can help, but we need everyone who’s been playing to get a lot better, coaches included. And I believe that we can.”