Could the San Francisco 49ers look to have a reunion with former quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo for the 2024 season? At least one analyst believes this could be a fit, with Garoppolo slotting into the back-up quarterback slot behind Brock Purdy.
Kyle Shanahan likes former New England Patriots QBs
The Patriots traded Garoppolo to the 49ers in the middle of the 2017 season. He would stay there for the 2022 season, leading the 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance for the 2019 season.
Following Garoppolo’s departure to the Las Vegas Raiders last season, Shanahan wanted to lure Tom Brady out of retirement to make a Super Bowl run in 2023. Brock Purdy said he knew Shanahan’s plan to make Brady the starter if they could sign him.
That didn’t happen. And Purdy was able to lead the 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance in February. The 49ers are expected to lose Purdy’s backup, Sam Darnold, to free agency due to cap space concerns.
Jimmy Garoppolo could be the “best fit” for the 49ers
Adam Wells with Bleacher Report thinks Garoppolo would be the best fit with the 49ers for next season:
“49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan hasn’t publicly said anything negative about Garoppolo, but his actions over the years do indicate he was ready to move on long before it actually happened…
Once Brock Purdy emerged as the starter for the 49ers in the wake of Garoppolo’s foot injury, it allowed both sides to get a clean break from each other.
Looking at where things stand with the quarterback depth chart going into 2024, the 49ers need a backup. Sam Darnold and Brandon Allen, their No. 2 and 3 options this season, are set to become free agents.
The only time in his career that Garoppolo has had any sustained success in the NFL was in Shanahan’s system. He went 38-17 in 55 regular-season starts with the 49ers from 2017 to ’22, leading the team to two NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl appearance in the 2019 season.”
The San Francisco 49ers need a solid backup for Brock Purdy
Garoppolo will miss the first two weeks of the upcoming season due to a suspension for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy. But that shouldn’t be an issue for the 49ers since Purdy will be the starter next season anyway.
The 49ers need someone who can run Shanahan’s system if Purdy is hurt. Garoppolo can do that. He’d be the 49ers best chance to win a Super Bowl next season if QB1 goes down.
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