Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers. (Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports)
Joe Montana had some interesting things to say about Jimmy Garoppolo’s future with the San Francisco 49ers.
Jimmy Garoppolo quarterbacked the San Francisco 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance two seasons ago. However, staying healthy has been a career-long issue for him. Have these injury concerns changed Joe Montana’s opinion on his former team’s quarterbacking situation?
Montana appeared on ESPN’s First Take on Wednesday, addressing what 49ers general manager John Lynch had said previously about Garoppolo. Lynch has been adamant that Garoppolo is the guy, as he has won a ton of games in 49ers uniform when he is healthy. While Montana tends to agree with the 49ers general manager, he is not entirely sure what goes on behind closed doors.
Jimmy Garoppolo’s availability is the only ability that matters in San Francisco
Montana mentioned he had no idea the 49ers were trying to trade him during the end of his run in San Francisco. He was the greatest quarterback of all time during his playing days, but injuries and a more-than-promising backup in Steve Young led to him being traded to the Kansas City Chiefs on April 20, 1993. So he knows first-hand that if you cannot stay healthy that you are expendable.
Overall, the 49ers will likely roll with Garoppolo for at least one more season. While they are picking in the top half of the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, San Francisco will have to trade up to get a prospect worthy of being Garoppolo’s successor. He could be traded too, but salary and recent success in the 2019 NFL season are clearly in his favor to remain their starting quarterback.
If Garoppolo cannot stay healthy in 2021, then the 49ers should have no issue moving on in 2022.