KEY POINTS

  • The 49ers are likely to stick with Jimmy Garoppolo
  • Garoppolo is expected to start initially for the 49ers to give young players time to develop
  • Garoppolo can be an asset to any team if he finds a way to stay healthy

The future of Jimmy Garoppolo of the San Francisco 49ers remains up in the air although a better picture could be known heading into the 2021 NFL Draft.

The 29-year-old has been the subject of NFL trade rumors although 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan maintains that the two-time Super Bowl champion remains in the mix.

As mentioned in a previous post, the 49ers are expected to select either Mac Jones or Trey Lance at the 2021 NFL Draft.

The Jacksonville Jaguars and the New York Jets will pick at No. 1 and No. 2 respectively.

The Jaguars are expected to select Trevor Lawrence, while the Jets will likely go with Zach Wilson.

Justin Fields is also another interesting prospect, but pundits suggest that he is no longer an option for San Francisco.

The 49ers appear to be keen on Jones and Lance, two of whom they scouted pretty closely.

Regardless if it is Jones or Lance, it raises questions on what the future holds for Garoppolo.

Unnamed general managers believe that an NFL trade could happen before or during the actual draft. However, Garoppolo may have to wait after the annual event to know his fate.

Then again, Garoppolo could remain in San Francisco as a contingency plan. Whether it be Jones, Lance or someone else, it remains that Shanahan needs a proven play-caller to start.

But like most, Garoppolo cannot let his guard down. He may start for now, but if he is not careful, he could be eased out of his spot.

It is a reality that has happened before, leading to some NFL players being traded.

One thing that Garoppolo needs to figure out is how to stay healthy. Injuries have been a bane for the Illinois native, forcing him to miss games.

Jimmy Garoppolo San Francisco 49ers
Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers in action against the Detroit Lions at Levi's Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Several teams, including Garoppolo’s former squad in the New England Patriots, have been mentioned as potential stops.

But with Cam Newton being re-signed, any chance of a reunion in New England may have been shut.

Hence, all Garoppolo can do right now is focus on where he is at and see what happens in the coming days.

The 2021 NFL Draft is set on April 29, so his future and other quarterbacks may hinge on the new faces entering the pro football league.

RELATED STORIES
Nfl draft NFL