The San Francisco 49ers embark on an offseason filled with more questions than answers. However, the main focus of the media will be on the team's quarterback situation. Will Jimmy Garoppolo be back in 2021, or has he suited up in red and gold for the last time?
The 49ers players know the situation and eagerly await to see how it is resolved. They want to see Garoppolo return and endorsed him as the team's quarterback in 2021.
"We'll see," wide receiver Kendrick Bourne said when asked about the situation. "I don't know if they're talking about drafting anybody, but I believe in Jimmy, I believe in [C.J. Beathard] and [Nick Mullens]. I play with all those guys. I caught a touchdown from each one of them, so I don't really mind who's back there, man."
Garoppolo has now missed 23 games over the past three seasons, and most of the national media expects the 49ers to move on should a better option present itself — and if that option makes financial sense. After all, the 49ers are 22-8 (24-9, including playoffs) with Garoppolo under center.
More locally, most team reporters feel Garoppolo will be back next season. Whether he has a rookie behind him in the depth chart will be revealed in April.
"Hopefully, we get Jimmy G back," Bourne added. "He's been dealing with injuries, so hopefully he gets his chance to fix his name, what they've been talking about him."
While the receiver is scheduled to become a free agent, he would prefer to return to the 49ers. If Bourne does, he clearly wants the opportunity to catch more passes from Garoppolo.
Tackle Mike McGlinchey was also asked about his quarterback's future.
"I don't speak to other people's decisions about my teammates, about my friends," McGlinchey responded. "That's their business. But I believe our team needs him. I believe that our team is clearly different without him, and the person that Jimmy is, the competitor that he is, and the talent that he is. When he's on, the results speak for themselves. That's all I really have to say about that.
"Jimmy's situation is going to take care of itself. He's our quarterback. I hope he's our quarterback here for the future. And he's a guy that I love to play for, I love playing with, and I know the rest of our locker room feels the same way. He's a guy that we want to keep around here. He's a guy that we need to have here, and that's all you've got to say about that."