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A year after a Super Bowl appearance, the San Francisco 49ers finished with a 6-10 record and fell to the basement of NFC West, which has arguably become the most competitive division in the NFL.
Last week, the 49ers took a few steps to try and get a head start over rivals the Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks. The 49ers acquired the No. 3 overall pick from the Miami Dolphins in exchange for the No. 12 pick, third-round pick and first-round pick in 2022 and 2023.
The closing of the deal sparked more rumors around their quarterback situation, with the team now expected to draft a quarterback with the highest pick and leave the long-term future of starter Jimmy Garoppolo in question.
NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger doesn’t know who the 49ers are going to take with this No. 3 pick, but he believes “they know who they want.”
While the former offensive lineman praised Garoppolo on a strong run in San Francisco, he thinks trying his luck on a rookie quarterback is what makes the most sense for the franchise.
“They had a good race with Jimmy G, but he can’t stay healthy. He played six games last year,” said Baldinger. “They like him, and for good reason, I mean he’s a good player when he’s healthy. But you have to be on the pitch.
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“It won’t surprise me if Mac Jones becomes the guy in San Francisco just because of the intelligence, the decision making, the precision,” Baldinger said of the University of the quarterback. Alabama.
With the 49ers, Baldinger said, a player like Jones could fit in because of his belief in head coach Kyle Shanahan and his system.
“They’ve improved the offensive line, they have an elite receiving core, with two wide receivers starting and a tight All-Pro end at George Kittle,” Baldinger told Fox News Wednesday. “You have the right quarterback in there with the return of Nick Bosa, who makes everyone better about this whole defense. I’m interested to see which quarterback they take. But I don’t believe anything for a second, whoever they choose with. the third choice is not going to start. “
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Baldinger, who stuck for several NFL quarterbacks in the ’80s and early’ 90s, began his broadcasting career in 1997. In addition to his work as an analyst for the NFL Network, he is credited with dissecting gaming films that he regularly publishes on his social networks. accounts, known as “Baldy breakdowns. “
FILE – On this Sunday, November 1, 2020, file photo, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo passes against the Seattle Seahawks in the first half of an NFL football game in Seattle. (AP Photo / Scott Eklund, file)
“You talk to any coach who’s ever been to San Francisco, it’s about winning championships. It’s not about winning the division, it’s not about beating Seattle. is about winning championships, ”Baldinger said.
But winning titles isn’t as easy as having the best players. The salary cap and injuries always play a role in a team’s success.
“They’re going to have to pay Nick Bosa in a few years. They’ve got some elite players to pay, and it’s hard to do if you’re paying a quarterback of $ 25 million or more,” Baldinger said. another reason why Garoppolo’s days can be numbered.
“So take your chance with a rookie quarterback. That’s what teams are looking for right now. It’s hard to build a team if you pay a guy a quarter of your salary cap.”
Baldinger also spoke of the success current Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan had with Shanahan during his two years as offensive coordinator in Atlanta before becoming head coach of the 49ers in 2017. During that season, Ryan led the Falcons to an 11-5 record. , while throwing for 4,944 yards and 38 touchdowns with just seven interceptions. Atlanta made a Super Bowl appearance that season, but fell to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, despite a 28-3 lead at one point in the third quarter.
FILE- In this Jan. 1, 2020 photo, Alabama quarterback Mac Jones (10) throws a pass during the second half of the NCAA Citrus Bowl college football game against Michigan in Orlando, Fla. Alabama back Mac Jones and Auburn’s Bo Nix took different paths to their starting jobs. Now they will lead their teams in the Iron Bowl for the second year in a row. (AP Photo / John Raoux, file)
A similar comparison with Ryan? Maybe it’s Jones from Alabama.
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“Matt Ryan was that league’s MVP, he didn’t run anywhere. He wasn’t running any play options. Jimmy Garoppolo wasn’t running anywhere, and he led them to a division crown and a Super Bowl appearance. , “Baldinger told me. “I think Justin Fields makes sense, but he doesn’t need Justin Fields. He just needs a guy who’s good enough to be able to execute a lot of game-action type passes, but smart enough for you. put in the right direction. play and figure out where to go with the ball. “
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