There has been much speculation about the future of Jimmy Garoppolo in San Francisco, and head coach Kyle Shanahan was hoping to set the record on Monday.
“Yeah, I believe Jimmy is going to be our quarterback next year,” Shanahan said.
The future of Garoppolo has been called into question after the quarter was set up for the majority of the 49ers’ uninspiring season as an injury. He suffered multiple sprains from the ankle that kept him out of the series for almost three quarters of the season.
Despite the tormenting injuries, Shanahan trusts that Garoppolo will be the best option for San Francisco in the future.
“Look at Jimmy’s record when he was here. Jimmy, you can win with that. He’s proved he’s a starting quarterback in this league,” Shanahan said. “There’s a reason why his record is what it is, and that’s why we paid for him to be our starting quarterback.”
After a mid-season trade of the New England Patriots in 2017, Garoppolo led the 1-10 49ers to five consecutive wins to end the season, earning a lucrative five-year contract at the end of the season. Since joining San Francisco, the 49ers have held a 22-8 record with Garoppolo as an appetizer (24-9 including the post-season). Without the fullback in the series, San Francisco is 7-26.
In his first, and only, full season as an NFL starter, he led San Francisco to a 13-win Super Bowl run in 2019.
Garoppolo owns a percentage of 67.5 in San Francisco, which passes for nearly 5,800 yards, 8.5 yards per attempt, 35 times to 21 interceptions and a pass rate of 98.1. His 67.5 percent achieved first place in franchise history and his passing event is second place behind Steve Young.
This season offers a deep pool of available options at quarter by draft and free agency. Shanahan and John Lynch, general manager, reiterated their desire to upgrade any post needed on the roster. Although the position falls for the fourth time in the category, the 49ers seem satisfied with Garoppolo remaining below center in 2021.
“You look at every avenue and you see if there is anything that can make you a ton better,” Shanahan said. “It’s the same answer for every position. But look at Jimmy, look at what he did. Look where he’s financially. We better have a very good answer if you’re going to find something better than that, because Jimmy showed in one. years that he is the man who can take us to the Super Bowl, and I also think Jimmy is going to get a lot better the more he plays. ‘
Despite starting 30 games, Garoppolo missed 23 injuries. The signalman missed the 49ers over six games as he worked his way back from a new and worsening high ankle strain suffered in Week 8. San Francisco opened Garoppolo’s practice window last week and Shanahan highlighted the increased energy with the quarterback on the field.
While the 49ers will end the season in the divisional game against the Seattle Seahawks, the team cannot guarantee the return of the quarterback in 2020. Backup CJ Beathard appears to be in for his second consecutive start to the season. Whether Garoppolo walks alongside an inspiring and healthy series of exercises over the next few days, the signs and Shanahan are heading for a 2021 season return for the quarter.
“With Jimmy, it’s about getting on the field for him again and that’s why he had a lot more fun getting out there last week. I can ‘t tell you how much our players differ, just with Jimmy out there,” he said. Shanahan said. “Jimmy handled it well. That’s why he has a chance to come back this week. But until the doctors give us a chance, we will not go.”