Should He Stay or Should He Go?
According to reports, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is soon to begin throwing after offseason shoulder surgery. When Garoppolo is cleared, the trade market for him will continue to spark as it did after the NFC Championship loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
This raises multiple questions in regard to Jimmy G. Should the 49ers trade him? Where would Garoppolo be traded? Should the 49ers wait until they can trust Trey Lance? Would Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch trade him to a division rival like the Seahawks?
Jimmy Garoppolo has been the 49ers quarterback since 2017. He has had an up and down tenure with the 49ers. In September 2018 against the Kansas City Chiefs, Garoppolo tore his ACL on a non-contact injury. The next year he led his team to the Super Bowl and was an overthrow away from winning the big game. In 2020, Jimmy G injured his ankle that plagued him all season long. However, he led his team to a 9-6 record and was 1 win away from making it to Super Bowl LVI last season. Why should the 49ers be reluctant to trade Garoppolo?
He has a career record of 33-14. Next, he has a completion percentage over 67%. He has 10 comebacks and 10 game-winning drives. Still, he is 30 years old and has more than a couple of years left to play in this league. On the other hand, there is pressure on Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch to give the keys to the franchise to Trey Lance.
They traded their 2021, 2022, and 2023 first round pick to acquire that number 3 draft spot. He has already learned the Kyle Shannahan system being with the team for a year. The 6’4, 226 LB quarterback out of North Dakota State, is a dynamic playmaker with a big arm. Everyone is aware that Garoppolo is a free agent after this year. It could be best to run it back with Jimmy G. It could be best for Trey Lance to learn more.
If I’m the 49ers and the price is right for a guy they’re not going to re-sign after this year, I would trade him. However, if the 49ers are struggling and falling behind in the NFC West, trade Garoppolo and let Trey Lance start so he can get as many game speed reps as possible. There should be no rush to trade him since he can still play at a high level and the 49ers are in a “win now” situation.
