If not Garoppolo, then who replaces him at QB?

There’s a big choice to make. Luckily, the 49ers have more than a day to make it.

What to do about

Jimmy Garoppolo?

Oh, what to do?

The Niners are in a pickle. Do they stick with the quarterback who was at the helm for 13 wins and two playoff victories last year, or do they deem that the lows of his six games this year were too low and sever ties this offseason?

It seemed inconceivable not long ago that the Niners would part ways with a quarterback who turned 29 on Monday and played on a busted ankle this season, but there are plenty of examples of such a bold move. Just ask Case Keenum — who led the Vikings to a 13-3 record in 2017, and even won a playoff game — all about that. He’s now the backup to Baker Mayfield in Cleveland — his third team in three years since Minnesota let him go.

This league can catch up with you fast.

And there are plenty of options that should be available should the Niners be looking for a new quarterback this offseason.

Backups

What an incredible opportunity the next eight weeks are going to be for Nick Mullens. The 49ers, it should be noted, are still well-positioned — at least in the standings — to make a run at the playoffs this year. Can Mullens be the guy to lead this battered, broken team into the Wild Card round? I have my doubts, but he gets the final say.

If Mullens can, indeed, make the remainder of this season interesting, he might be the 49ers’ option for 2021. Whether that’s competing against Garoppolo, tutoring a young quarterback of the future, or being “the man,” that’s not an opportunity that was truly available to him considering how he played in his last start.

Technically speaking, because Mullens has this opportunity and he was benched for C. J. Beathard earlier this year, the Iowa product and the only quarterback head coach Kyle Shanahan has drafted in San Francisco could wind up with a shot at the 2021 top job, too. That option takes a bit more suspension of disbelief, though.

Exes

Shanahan can’t seem to quit Kirk Cousins or Matt Ryan, his two most successful quarterbacks from his previous jobs as an offensive coordinator. Luckily for the Niners — or unluckily, depending on your perspective — neither of those two quarterbacks’ current employers seem keen to move on from both this offseason. Hooray!

The issue with the 49ers bringing in either of these quarterbacks is that they make a ton of money and it’s going to make a trade tough. Ryan has three years and $59 million remaining on his deal — with Atlanta having

to eat $42 million in dead cap money to move him. He’ll also likely need a new contract if he is traded.

He’s paid more than Garoppolo, but how significant of an upgrade is he?

Cousins is the bar for any Garoppolo replacement. The only question that needs to be asked as it pertains to the next 49ers quarterback is if he is better or worse than the Minnesota quarterback, who helmed Shanahan’s offense in Washington.

Cousins’ contract is more amenable to San Francisco — his base salary is $21 million in 2021 and $35 million in 2022 — though the Vikings would, like Atlanta with Ryan, have to take a big hit against the cap to move on from the quarterback.

Ultimately, even with the cash crunch either would provide, these names aren’t going away.

Rookies

The way I see it, the 49ers are going to have a top-10 draft pick for the fourth time in five years under Shanahan. It’s a great opportunity to draft a quarterback of the future.

Unless this team really leans into a tank — something I cannot see happening — or decides to make a massive trade to move up in the draft order, the chances of landing a Trevor Lawrence or Justin Fields are slim. The Clemson and Ohio State quarterbacks should go No. 1 and No. 2 in the draft. They’re special.

Which begs the big question: Would San Francisco be interested in the third-, fourth-, fifthbest quarterback in this class to be a freshman starter for a team with playoff hopes?

Niners fans seem smitten with BYU quarterback Zach Wilson, the Mormon Manziel. Remember, Shanahan coached Johnny Football in Cleveland.

North Dakota State

dual-threat quarterback Trey Lance has top-10 buzz, too. Would the step up in competition be too steep for the 20-year- old?

Pocket passers like Florida’s Kyle Trask and Alabama’s Mac Jones will garner interest, perhaps as late-first-round options.

And here’s a name to keep an eye on: Tanner Morgan. He’s the Minnesota Manziel. There’s something special about that kid.

Remember, Shanahan has only drafted one quarterback in San Francisco — Beathard — and he doesn’t have a younguser-friendly offense.

That said, the game is changing and one could argue you need an athletic quarterback to succeed in the modern game. The writing might be on the wall for Shanahan — adapt or die. It’s a good year — and now a good opportunity — to adapt.

Veterans

Either as a tutoring placeholder or an effort to bring about the second coming of Rich Gannon, the Niners might go with a veteran free agent to replace Garoppolo. Lowceiling, high-floor. Cam Newton, Dak Prescott, Jacoby Brissett, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Tyrod Taylor are all out of contract at the end of the season and you could make the argument all would be an upgrade over Garoppolo, whose contract is effectively voidable by the Niners this upcoming offseason.

A player like Keenum could be available via a low- cost trade as well.

How many of these players move the needle? Perhaps Newton and Prescott, but both have serious question marks heading into 2021. There’s a reason they’ll be out of contract.

The big question is if any of those quarterbacks cross the Cousins Line?

If Shanahan thinks so, it’s time to say au revoir Jimmy.