49ers may make QB Garoppolo fight for job

Don’t get too comfortable, Jimmy Garoppolo.

The 49ers probably won’t jettison their starting quarterback with a trade or a release this offseason, but they figure to provide Garoppolo with something he hasn’t faced in his tenure with the team: competition.

General manager John Lynch said this week he had no doubt the injuryplagued Garoppolo, if healthy, would remain with the 49ers in 2021 on the “The Eye Test for Two” podcast. And Lynch also said the 49ers needed to have “better options” backing up Garoppolo so the 49ers can “win games” in case he suffers another significant injury next season.

A backup QB capable of winning is also capable of pushing Garoppolo, who has yet to earn a full welcomeback embrace. After Lynch said he

had no doubt Garoppolo would stay in Santa Clara, he added, “I really believe that.”

Um, John, shouldn’t you “know” that?

The 49ers like Garoppolo, but they aren’t sold on him as their longterm answer. And their feelings about him will become more evident with how they address their backup QB situation this offseason.

Option No. 1: Sign a veteran QB in free agency

In this scenario, the 49ers would invest about $3 million to $5 million in a backup QB with extensive starting experience and probably roll with Josh Rosen or Josh Johnson — both under contract — or an undrafted rookie as the No. 3.

Logical freeagent options include Miami’s Ryan Fitzpatrick (146 career starts), Dallas’ Andy Dalton (142), and Indianapolis’ Jacoby Brissett (32).

Those QBs would likely provide an upgrade from Nick Mullens, a pending free agent who went 511 in his fillin starts over the past three seasons and committed 25 turnovers in those games.

Of those aforementioned QBs, Fitzpatrick, 38, would be the most likely to push Garoppolo. Fitzpatrick, who is capable of extended stretches of excellence or awfulness, went 43 last season and posted a 95.6 passer rating (Garoppolo: 33, 92.4).

If Garoppolo were to be injured again or struggle, a veteran No. 2 would give the 49ers a better chance of staying afloat, unlike 2018 (record: 412) or 2020 (610).

The obvious problem with this scenario? If Garoppolo is hurt or regresses in 2021, he definitely won’t be around in 2022 when he has a scheduled salary cap hit of $27 million. And the 49ers wouldn’t have a QB on the roster to replace him.

Option No. 2: Draft a QB with an earlyround pick

In this scenario, the 49ers would use one of their two top100 picks (No. 12 or No. 43) to select a QB and, well, see how it plays out.

And it could play out in several ways.

Last year, for example, the Eagles had their own injuryplagued starter, Carson Wentz, and drafted Jalen Hurts in the second round to back him up. Wentz stayed healthy but tied for the NFL lead in interceptions, Hurts showed promise after replacing him late in the season, and the Eagles traded Wentz to the Colts last week.

This year, if the 49ers, like Philadelphia, wait until the second round to draft a QB, logical candidates include Stanford’s Davis Mills and Florida’s Kyle Trask.

If the 49ers use their first pick on a QB? A strong possibility at No. 12 is North Dakota State’s Trey Lance, a raw talent who would probably require a year of onthebench seasoning after starting just one season at the FCS level.

Firstround QBs rarely sit for a season in today’s NFL, but there is a rather notable recent example of it working out spectacularly.

In 2017, the Chiefs, who had steadyifunspectacular Alex Smith, traded up to select future league MVP Patrick Mahomes at No. 10 overall. Mahomes learned behind Smith as rookie and Kansas City, convinced the kid was ready to take over, traded Smith to Washington after the 2017 season.

If the 49ers draft Lance or Alabama’s Mac Jones at No. 12, it would send a message to Garoppolo that he is probably, at best, a oneseason placeholder … unless he plays so spectacularly that he keeps the rookie on the bench in 2022.

Last year, the Packers, who had then36yearold Aaron Rodgers, traded up to select Jordan Love at No. 26. Rodgers, who wasn’t thrilled with the selection, threw a careerhigh 48 touchdown passes and was named the NFL’s MVP.

The takeaways from recent history: Assuming the 49ers don’t whiff on a QB pick in 2021, they will have an appealing replacement in 2022 if Garoppolo underwhelms this season.

And if Garoppolo channels Rodgers? They’ll have a franchise QB and, possibly, a young QB who could be a valuable trade chip.

Option No. 3: Sign a veteran QB and draft a QB

In this scenario, the 49ers could invest significant salary cap space and draft capital on players who might not play in 2021.

However, they can’t afford to assume Garoppolo will stay healthy after he’s missed 23 of their past 48 regularseason games. And it might be a mistake to assume a rookie will be able to absorb enough of head coach Kyle Shanahan’s complex system to flourish in 2021.

Would this coverallbases option be overkill?

Not for a team with so much uncertainty at the NFL’s most important position.