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The 49ers at least looked at Tom Brady last season. The speculation was that they might have a wandering eye again in this off-season.
But general manager John Lynch was as definitive as he has been on the team’s starting quarterback in 2021.
Lynch joined Clark Judge and Ira Kaufman on the podcast The Eye Test for Two and said he has no doubt that Jimmy Garoppolo will return as the team’s starter.
He comes with a warning: “If Garoppolo remains injury-free”, something he has failed to do in two of the past three seasons.
Lynch was asked: “If he is injury free, do you have any doubt that Jimmy Garoppolo will be your defender when he comes out in September?”
Lynch did not hesitate: “No. No way. I really believe that. “
The 49ers are 24-9, including the postseason, in games Garoppolo has started since he came to an exchange with the Patriots. They are 7-19 in the same period when he doesn’t.
Garoppolo, however, has lost 23 games in the past three seasons due to injuries. He only played six in 2020 because of ankle sprains.
But Lynch sounds like the 49ers want to update the position of reserve quarterback instead of finding an initial quarterback to compete or replace Garoppolo.
“Being available is a big part of that,” acknowledged Lynch. “So, we – probably as a stated goal – have to isolate ourselves better. We need to have better options if he’s not there.
“I saw people go through this in their careers, where they fought early. It happened to me early and then I spent eight years without losing an office. So I believe that things can happen, and I believe they will happen for him. I really believe that Jimmy is our guy. “
CJ Beathard is an unrestricted free agent and Nick Mullens is a restricted free agent.
Having a healthy Garoppolo is critical, however, if the 49ers are really committed to another year with him. The only season that Garoppolo played all 16 games in 2019, the 49ers went 13-3 and made an appearance in the Super Bowl, although his performance in the fourth quarter against the Chiefs cost the team a title.
“When he’s healthy, he plays at a high level,” said Lynch. “But we will probably have to add someone. We probably need to improve ourselves, so if he’s not there, we’re fine; we can win games.
“We are seriously looking forward to restarting our team and doing this next year. And I believe that we have what it takes to compete for a championship. “