49ers should bring back Jimmy Garoppolo as starting quarterback, says NFL legend
The San Francisco 49ers are going to have decisions to make this offseason and in training camp on who will start under center for the 2023 season.
It will depend on who is healthier in Week 1 – Trey Lance or Brock Purdy – as head coach Kyle Shanahan expressed pessimism about the possibility of Jimmy Garoppolo returning to San Francisco. But if it were up to 49ers legend Joe Montana, he would try to bring in this latest quarterback for another year.
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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo warms up before the game against the Miami Dolphins at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on December 4, 2022.
(Jane Tyska/Digital First Media/East Bay Times via Getty Images)
Montana told NFL reporter Michael Silver on the “Open Mike” podcast that the 49ers should go with the quarterback who won them.
“I think you just started Jimmy. … He still won a lot of games before he got injured, and he always put them in that position so he could start that race to start,” the Pro Football Hall of Famer said. . “…You have to go with the guy who has won the games – and he gets the offense – and go from there.”
49ers quarterback Joe Montana celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass.
(Getty Images/File)
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Garoppolo agreed to return to the 49ers for one more season and serve as Lance’s backup because San Francisco could not find a business partner for Garoppolo in the offseason. He was thrust into the starting role once Lance got injured in Week 2.
Garoppolo led the 49ers to a 7-3 record as a starter, but he was also lost for the season to injury. Purdy led the team to the NFC Championship Game, where they lost to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Shanahan spoke about Garoppolo’s future last week, saying he sees “no script” for the quarterback to return next season.
Jimmy Garoppolo of the San Francisco 49ers calls a play during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Estadio Azteca on November 21, 2022 in Mexico City.
(Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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Garoppolo had 2,437 passing yards, 16 touchdowns and four interceptions in 11 games.
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