With no apparent significant changes in the quarterback, the 49ers’ first free agency moves supported the confidence of coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch expressed during the off-season in quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
Although there was some speculation that they could bring a backup via commerce or free agency to compete with Garoppolo at some level, such a move has not been made. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Jacoby Brissett, Cam Newton and Jameis Winston have businesses and opportunities to start. San Francisco’s only rumor of interest was in former Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky, who signed a one-year contract with Bills. His only reported opening for a signal caller was an in-person visit with veteran QB Joe Flacco.
Barring a negotiation or a significant change in the board on the day of the draft, it seems that Garoppolo has a strangling control in the initial work.
Instead of trying to find a player to push Garoppolo, San Francisco made moves to help protect him and restore a defense capable of winning a championship.
They signed Trent Williams’ left tackle with a record contract that makes him the highest-paid offensive striker in the league. They also added Alex Mack, a six-time Pro Bowl pivot, to a three-year contract that will reinforce a low-quality offensive line that has given 49ers trouble in recent seasons. Keeping Garoppolo healthy is the key, and keeping him upright will help a lot in that regard.
San Francisco also hired fullback Kyle Juszczyk again, which is one of the keys to unlocking the racing game that makes the 49ers’ attack so dangerous. Versatility and deception allow runners to find holes wide open and pass catchers to run freely – both of which make life easier for a quarterback who may need some help making plays.
Although they did not make any other major additions to the attack, they signed cornerbacks Emmanuel Moseley and Jason Verrett, who intend to go to the training ground as starters on the outside. The 49ers also stepped up their passing run with hyper-athletic striker Samson Ebukam, who offers depth in the front and a possible replacement for Dee Ford if the frequently injured defensive part is unavailable.
There are still some adjustments to be made before the 49ers have a list that can legitimately compete for this year’s Super Bowl. They need better depth in the wide receiver, they still need some additional help in the cornerback, and more depth in the trenches would not hurt either side of the ball.
If they manage to check all the boxes in the off-season and stay healthy, it is not out of the question that they will dispute the championship again if Garoppolo starts in the center.
The truth is that they are building a squad that can win with signals from a player like him. It combines an explosive and quick attack with a bunch of pass pickers whose specialty is yards after receiving.
This is a team that can win even if its quarterback has shortcomings. There will be pieces of the passing attack missing and some frustrating bags and twists because of what Garoppolo lacks, but the organization clearly believes it can win with him this year. Everything they said and all the off-season moves they made confirm that.
On the other hand, there is still time for the club to make a leap. Texas quarterback Deshaun Watson still wants a trade, although he is under investigation by the NFL for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. The Jets could also negotiate quarterback Sam Darnold. The draft will also tell us a lot about how 49ers feel about Garoppolo. If they switch to a quarterback in the first round, this will put some uncertainty in their status as a starter during the season, even if he is the starter entering the year.
San Francisco took no steps to commit to Garoppolo beyond this year, partly because of his failures in the field and partly because of his inability to stay healthy in two of the past three years. The steps they took point to confidence in him in 2021, however. With a talented cast being built around him, how far the 49ers go this season will be determined by the type of game they will receive from the caller they decide to keep.