Will Jimmy G be a 49er after Sunday?

By Scooter_McG

It felt like the 49ers and QB Jimmy Garoppolo were headed for a divorce ever since the team opted not to redo his deal to create much needed cap space after the 2019 season, following a season in which he played every game and led the team to a Super Bowl. It was all but confirmed that Jimmy G’s run with the 49ers was nearing an end when the team surprised everyone by trading up to pick #3 to take a QB in this year’s draft, well in advance of the draft, to give the team time and latitude to do its due diligence on the prospects (which in my opinion will lead them to making Trey Lance the heir apparent come Thursday). Now all that seems left for the “Jimmy G: QB of the San Francisco 49ers” epitaph is the exact when and how of his departure.

Ever since the trade to pick #3 the 49ers have been trumpeting the narrative that they like the idea of holding onto Jimmy G this year, with the idea of him starting while a rookie sits and waits. At the same time they have also made it clear to any team listening that it would take an offer that blows them away to move on from Jimmy G this offseason, and rumours have been that such an offer would require a first round pick. Maybe they were being 100% open and honest about their intent to keep Jimmy G, maybe they weren’t. But with the knowledge the team moved up to #3 to get their QBOTF (and maybe present) as well as strong rumours the team tried hard to sign a veteran signal caller with starting experience in FA (with the likes of Dalton, Trubisky and Flacco all heavily linked to the 49ers this offseason) it seems fair to assume the team was at least keeping the option of trading Jimmy G firmly on the table.

During the recent pre-draft press conference, both Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch refused to guarantee that Jimmy G will remain on the roster during the coming weekend. Or that anyone will even be alive, for that matter (side note: George Kittle responded to this statement with a funny tweet that he will check in on Sunday with Shanahan to let him know he is still alive). At the same time, they again reiterated that they like the idea of Jimmy G being on the roster so they don’t need to rush their rookie QB into action before he is ready. To me, both of these statements ring true.

Since the press conference, there have been reports that the 49ers stance on trade compensation for Jimmy G is softening, and they may now listen to offers that involve a second rounder rather than a first. And these reports suggest they are getting some interest.

Having an incumbent veteran starter like Jimmy G hold the fort while the rookie develops for a year would be very similar to the situation the Chiefs created in 2017 when they moved up to draft Patrick Mahomes and sat him behind Alex Smith for a season. And that approach certainly didn’t hurt Mahomes’ development.

However, the Alex Smith situation was a little different to this one. First, Smith is the ultimate professional who had already once previously shown he would not create waves in the locker room as he mentored his future replacement. Second, the Chiefs had been a consistent playoff team for a number of years under Smith (missing the playoffs just once in four years, and then only just missing out with a 9-7 record), but failed to get to the AFC Championship Game let alone a Super Bowl. While Smith was universally respected by teammates, they had time to realise the status quo wasn’t getting it done.

With Jimmy G and the 49ers, he is loved by his teammates and they believe only luck and injuries have prevented them from winning a Super Bowl the past two years. With that kind of belief in the locker room, bringing in an heir apparent while allowing Jimmy G to remain with the team runs a real risk of creating division amongst the playing group and making it harder for the rookie to establish himself as a leader. And maybe Jimmy G doesn’t want to be the starter for a franchise that no longer believes in him, which could also lead to locker room distraction. It may be best for all parties to let this relationship end before any potential resentment or distraction festers.

If they do trade Jimmy G this weekend, and I think there is a very strong likelihood of it happening, what could the 49ers receive in return? I’d be hoping for at least a package similar to what the Jets received for Darnold. Maybe a player swap could be an option too, for example a trade package with the Patriots involving Stephon Gilmore going the other way. This would be an ideal scenario for the 49ers in my opinion as it would solidify one of the few remaining weaknesses on the 49ers roster.

And if they do trade Jimmy G, it would behoove the team to then trade for another veteran QB that can be the bridge for the rookie and a reliable backup option once the rookie is ready to start. I could see the team exploring a trade for Gardner Minshew, for example.

What do you think – will Jimmy G be a 49er after this weekend?