© Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
It’s the only topic that really matters. What are the San Francisco 49ers going to do at quarterback next season? Do they stick with Garoppolo? Cut him and bring in a veteran or draft a rookie? Keep him around and bring in a veteran or rookie to compete with?
So much of the quarterback equation is unclear because we do not know where the 49ers will be drafting and there are likely to be at least six teams with new head coaches next year, and many, also, with new general managers. We also don’t know what Garoppolo’s value is on the trade market, given that he’s due $26.9 million next year and has been available in just 28 out of a possible 51 games over the last three years (54.9 percent).
But ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported on NFL Sunday Countdown that, if the 49ers can make an upgrade, they will:
“Garoppolo’s injuries certainly complicate the picture,” Mortensen said. “Kyle Shanahan, the coach said, he believes Garoppolo will be the quarterback in 2021, but he says he can’t say it with certainty. Most league insiders believe if there’s a better option, the 49ers will have somebody other than Garoppolo at the start of next season.”
The 49ers, at 6-9, currently hold the 15th overall pick. If they lose on Sunday, there is a reasonable path for them to jump to as high as the 10th overall pick.