Kyle Shanahan Confirms Jimmy Garoppolo is ‘QB1’ in San Francisco

Kyle Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers endured a tough outing in the NFL last season. The Super Bowl LIV runner-ups finished at the bottom of the NFC West behind the Arizona Cardinals with a 6-10 record. Their season was marred with injuries to key players, including star quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

The experienced quarterback featured in just 6 games last season. Garoppolo threw for 1,096 yards with 7 passing TDs against 5 interceptions in 2020. He could only lead the 49ers to 3 wins in 6 starts. But in his defense, there wasn’t much he could do without the likes of George Kittle, Nick Bosa, and Raheem Mostert on the roster.

The arrival of promising rookie quarterback Trey Lance this summer only complicates things for Jimmy G. However, here’s what 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has to say with respect to Jimmy’s role in 2021.

ALSO READ – Should Rookie Quarterback Justin Fields Start for Chicago Bears?

Kyle Shanahan talks Trey Lance, Jimmy Garoppolo ahead of 2021 NFL season

Speaking on the latest segment of The Rich Eisen Show, coach Kyle Shanahan addressed the possibility of Jimmy Garoppolo being replaced as starting quarterback after Lance’s selection in the 2021 NFL Draft.

But he was adamant that the former New England Patriots man will be the first-choice QB in The Bay, at least when the season begins.

“Jimmy is definitely our starter right now. Right now there is no competition, I don’t believe that Trey would be in a position to compete. Jimmy is too good of a player. He’s got too good a grasp of our offense…he’ll be the starting quarterback.”

Active Quarterbacks with a 70% Winning Percentage Since 2017

• Tom Brady
• Patrick Mahomes
• Lamar Jackson
• Jimmy Garoppolo

*Minimum 30 Starts pic.twitter.com/pazocAK6t4

— NFLonCBS (@NFLonCBS) April 27, 2021

“I just need Trey to come in here, try to learn everything, try to learn his teammates and we’ll just see how it goes. I’m not going to sit here and say I’ll never play a rookie quarterback and I’m not going to say I will. It’s kind of up to him….Guys know when a rookie is ready to compete with a starter,” Shanahan said on the show.

Coach Shanahan and GM John Lynch are known for their sly tactics, on and off the football field. They might have a transition plan in mind with respect to Lance. But only time will tell if they plan to offload Jimmy Garoppolo in the coming years.

Garoppolo boasts a 22-8 record during his 4-year career with the San Francisco 49ers. Despite his recent injury struggles, would it be a smart move to drop him to the bench in 2021? Tell us what you think in the comments section below.

ALSO READ – How Does the Arrival of Justin Fields in Chicago Affect the Future of Nick Foles?

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