The 49ers proved that they are not very good when Jimmy Garoppolo is not on the pitch.
But Garoppolo proved that he has a hard time staying on the pitch.
Given that, the biggest news from Kyle Shanahan’s press conference on Monday was not his statement that he expects Garoppolo to continue as the starter in 2021. Shanahan also said that last month and, again, his support on Monday came with the proviso that “you can” do not say anything for sure. “
The most telling part of Shanahan’s comings and goings with reporters about Garoppolo? Your answer when asked: What is the 49ers’ plan if Garoppolo, again, is not in the field for long periods in 2021?
The 49ers are very good (24-9) in the games Garoppolo started in Shanahan’s four seasons. They are terrible (7-26) without Garoppolo.
Shanahan and general manager John Lynch repeatedly mentioned these records to highlight Garoppolo’s impact and explain why they expect him to retain his role next season.
But book 24-9. And focus on 7-26.
Garoppolo’s injuries – his ACL break in 2018 and his ankle sprain in 2020 (he hasn’t played since November 1) – helped torpedo both seasons because the fall for Nick Mullens and CJ Beathard was precipitous.
It is true that many teams would have a similar fate if their initial QB dropped. But the 49ers are no longer most teams: they are the NFC champions who look set to open 2021 with a quarterback who suffered three serious injuries (Garoppolo also had a shoulder injury with the Patriots in 2016) in his 32 career. matches.
As a result, the 49ers are expected to significantly improve the position behind Garoppolo in this off-season to prepare for a season in which the Super Bowl window may remain open.
In response, Shanahan began by noting that signing a free QB agent that can serve as a capable initiator can be expensive. And cost is an issue because the 49ers are scheduled to dedicate $ 26.9 million in salary cap space to Garoppolo in 2021.
“Do you want to be a starter as a reserve defender?” Shanahan said. “So you just need to decide if you want to spend most of your salary cap on your first and second straight quarterbacks. …
“You just hope not to lose your (holder) for an entire year. We had that in our first year playing with Jimmy, which was a torn ACL. And then those two ankle sprains that came up. It was unfortunate. But sit back and say now that you are going to go out and pay a lot of money to have a reserve quarterback who plays as a starter – (this) is not the best answer for your team ”.
At this point, however, expecting Garoppolo to remain healthy in 2021 does not seem like a responsible plan.
Interestingly, however, Shanahan continued to note that there was an affordable alternative to an expensive QB: sketching a quarterback on a relatively inexpensive rookie contract that can upgrade to second place.
He even cited an example. In 2017, the Chiefs holder was Alex Smith, who led them to a 22-9 record as a starter in the previous two seasons. Kansas City used choice number 10 to cast Patrick Mahomes, who supplanted Smith next season and became an NFL MVP and Super Bowl champion.
“This is something that most teams have problems with – that second team quarterback,” said Shanahan. “Unless they chose a guy and then had the previous year’s title. Someone like Alex and what they had with Patrick. “
It was certainly not a statement that the 49ers will draft a QB in April.
However, assuming they keep Garoppolo, that plan certainly makes sense.
Consider: 49ers could use a first, second or third round choice in position and the newbie would probably serve as an upgrade over Mullens or Beathard, both of whom are in the final year of their contracts.
49ers (6-9) currently have overall choice No. 14 in the draft. They would lose the best quarterbacks in that location, but if they like Trey Lance from the state of North Dakota, Kyle Trask from Florida or Mac Jones from Alabama, it is possible that one of these three is available. Given his other potential draft needs, such as his sideline, offensive and pass rush, 49ers are more likely to wait a round or two to select a QB.
Shanahan said several times on Monday that he likes his current quarterback, who took the 49ers to the Super Bowl last season, when he played every game in his only full season as a starter.
“Look at Jimmy’s history when he was here,” said Shanahan. “Jimmy, you can win. He proved it. He proved that he is a full-back in this league. … I also think Jimmy will get much better the more he plays. “
The 49ers were saying the same things before the season about Garoppolo.
Months later, after a season in which Garoppolo made just six appearances, they cannot afford to do the same thing in 2021 with regard to their reserve.
Eric Branch covers the 49ers for The San Francisco Chronicle. Email: [email protected] Twitter: @Eric_Branch