Jimmy Garoppolo is unquestionably the 49ers QB

It seems that every time a quarterback becomes available, the 49ers are a speculative destination. Tom Brady, Cam Newton, even Jordan Love in the draft. Recently, even Aaron Rodgers’ name came up as a target in 2021. There has also been continuing chatter of Nick Mullens just taking over.

None of these will happen. There are reasons for it. 

First of all, Jimmy Garoppolo is a winner. There’s a lot to be said for that. He’s 23-6 as a starting QB. 21-6 as 49ers QB. In 48 regular season games with Shanahan, the 49ers are 19-5 with Garoppplo, 4-20 without him. He wasn’t just the beneficiary of the great 2019-20 team either. He lead a bad 1-10 team in 2017-18 to 5 straight wins and a 6-10 record. He just wins games. That’s hard to ignore. 

Jimmy Garoppolo is a leader and is well-liked and respected by everyone in the organization and people in the game have nothing but good things to say about him. His teammates love him, the front office loves him. Other teams respect him. He’s a terrific leader and exudes am energy that is irreplaceable. He’s just the type of person that this organization has needed at that position. He fits the culture they are building so well. 

Let’s not forget that he’s actually a good QB. He was top 5 in some important offensive categories last year. That was coming off a torn ACL and it being his first full season of starting. He’s going to be able to do more in 2020-21. Matt Ryan took a significant step forward in his second year with Shanahan in Atlanta. There is no reason to believe the same can’t happen with Garoppolo, who is more talented than many give him credit for. 

There just isn’t any indication that the 49ers would move on from Garoppolo. The people within the organization and the game knows he’s their guy. All the chatter about them not liking him is nothing more than nonsensical outside noise. They like him a lot and there are many reasons why they do. 

Sure he isn’t the best QB but I also don’t think we’ve seen his best. And he doesn’t have to be elite to be their guy. Shanahan is going to put him in the best position to be successful and in turn Garoppolo will put his teammates in the best spots to be successful. That’s how Shanahan offenses work. He doesn’t need the best at every position to make it work. He just needs good fits. Garoppolo is a good fit for this team and Shanahan has praised him time after time. 

If you know anything about Shanahan’s, they know offense a lot. They just get it. Mike Shanahan was great with QBs. Kyle is too. They were right about Cousins over Griffin III in Washington. They are often right about QBs, and a lot of other things too. It takes a lot to get approval from a Shanahan. Garoppolo has it. That should say a lot. 

I don’t see any way they move on from Garoppolo any time soon unless he totally loses it, which doesn’t seem likely. He is the guy the 49ers want to be their QB for 15 years if possible. They have a great thing in this organization right now and Garoppolo is a huge part of that. Messing with a good thing would be a mistake this organization doesn’t need. I also don’t think they’d find a better option than Garoppolo that is realistic or even a fit that’s worth the trouble. Brady wasn’t, Newton isn’t, Rodgers won’t be. Garoppolo is the guy. Now let’s put this to rest already.