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This could be Jimmy Garoppolo’s last season in San Francisco.
Sources told The Athletic that the often injured 49ers signal caller was on thin ice with the team at nine months removed from a Super Bowl appearance in February.
“I’m selling stocks,” an offensive coach said at the point of sale.
“I think it can be done in San Francisco,” said an NFL executive. “And if they keep it, it’s only because they have no other choice.”
Despite swirling reports about Garoppolo’s future, general manager John Lynch continued to support the quarterback.
“I think the elephant in the room: everyone wants to know about Jimmy,” Lynch told KNBR 680 Friday morning. “Here’s what I know about Jimmy Garoppolo, and I’ve been consistent: we’re a better team when he’s out there. We win a lot when he’s there and we had a hard time winning without him.
“We believe in Jimmy a lot. As scouting staff we are always going to be thorough and work our tail to spot all players and be ready for anything. … I still have a lot of confidence in Nick. It has to function at a high level for us to be successful.
Passing from Garoppolo, who joined the 49ers’ midseason in 2017 via trade, would be a drastic move devoid of better options on the current depth chart. It would also be shocking in light of the five-year, up to $ 137.5 million deal he signed ahead of the 2018 season, which was the biggest contract in NFL history at the time.
“People can choose their game apart,” Lynch said. “For much of this year Jimmy probably hasn’t played at his level and he’s been somewhat compromised with his health since getting that ankle high in the Jets game.
The 2014 second-rounder has struggled this season with injuries, including an ankle injury he re-aggravated in Week 8, which placed him on the injured reserve. He completed 94 of 140 attempted passes for 1,096 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions in six games this season.
“The most encouraging thing was that his recommendation, which was in line with our orthopedic surgeon, was that he didn’t need surgery right now,” Lynch said. “Are you doing what they call a ‘tightrope’ or are you leaving it alone?”
Garoppolo, 29, won two Super Bowl rings as Tom Brady’s replacement during his tenure in New England. He missed most of the 2018 season with a ripped ACL, but made a comeback in 2019.
The eastern Illinois product completed 69.1% of his passes for 3,978 yards, 27 touchdowns and 13 interceptions and was a finalist for the NFL Returning Player of the Year award. He helped lead the team to a 13-3 and all the way to Super Bowl 54 before faltering to the Chiefs.
The 49ers currently sit last in the competitive NFC West division at 4-5. Substitute Nick Mullens will start Sunday against the Saints (6-2) in New Orleans.
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