Kurtenbach

How funny would it be if Garoppolo’s parting gift is his best play in a Niners uniform? It’d be the equivalent of flipping two stadium-size middle fingers to Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch if he ascended into the realm of elite quarterbacks this season. I like those guys, but that would be so enjoyable.

(I’m sure there are Niners fans who take all of this far too seriously who could find another word or two for it and me.)

There are also the practical upsides for the 49ers — great quarterback play likely begets winning. It also increases the possibility of recouping some of the draft picks they sent to Miami for the right to draft Lance.

I think I lean toward the first part, though

— the one that includes chaos.

I think it’s important to note that the Niners’ need to draft an heir all-too-apparent quarterback had more to do with Garoppolo’s availably than his on-field abilities. No, Shanahan needed to hedge

for a future where having a running quarterback might be a prerequisite to success, he needed to reset the Niners’ salary cap, and he needed a quarterback who was going to be on the field more than half the time.

It’s that final aspect that has been the most damning for Garoppolo.

Ultimately, Garoppolo will decide how long he is the quarterback of the 49ers. An injury will bring about the Lance era. I think a bad game — maybe two, if it’s early in the season — will be enough for Shanahan to switch to No. 5, as well. Even if Garoppolo takes the Niners to the Super Bowl and lifts the Lombardi Trophy in February, the Niners will just do this all over again in 2022.

There’s no way that Garoppolo can win.

Maybe that’s why I’m rooting for him. The NFL is a tough business and I don’t think that he’s been done dirty, but how can you not pull for a guy who is in a situation like this and yet hasn’t whined or complained in public once?

(I will note that it’s not like the Niners didn’t try to trade him — there was no serious market for his

services before the draft.)

I’m also fascinated to see what Garoppolo does in this back-against-thewall situation. Will he go full John Wick?

Boy, I sure hope so. I’ve spent some time going through old Garoppolo tape this offseason and it’s jarring to see the difference between the inexperienced quarterback acquired midseason from New England and the guy that was on the field last year.

I liked the former version better.

Yes, the early version of Garoppolo was a swashbuckler who had no problem pushing the ball all over the field. Was he unpolished? Yes? A little dangerous? Absolutely. But in a limited version of Shanahan’s offense and with some absolute randos lining up next to him, he was super fun to watch.

Where’d that quarterback go?

Maybe we see a bit more of that devil-may-care attitude again this year, albeit with a much better understanding of the offense and so much more offensive talent around him.

That could be a damn good quarterback.

I know I’m rooting for it.