Garafolo: Jimmy Garoppolo returning is high on 49ers’ QB options

Mike Garafolo reported on NFL Network this weekend that the San Francisco 49ers were not big contenders for former Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, who was eventually traded to the Los Angeles Rams. Reading between the lines of what he heard from the Niners, the NFL insider felt quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo had a good chance of staying put in 2021.

"Now, they did have some conversations along the way with Detroit," Garafolo added on Monday morning, "and I expect them to have some conversations with some other quarterbacks that are available, so I can't sit here and guarantee for you 100 percent that Jimmy Garoppolo is going to be back. But on their list of options, which could include making a move in the draft to get a guy, on their list of options, Jimmy Garoppolo returning as their starting quarterback is high up there."

Both head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch recently said that they expect Garoppolo to be the team's starting quarterback in 2021. Of course, Shanahan added that the team is always looking to improve, no matter the position.

After an excessive number of injuries this past season, availability has to factor into any roster decisions. Garoppolo has missed 23 games over the past three seasons, including 10 in 2020. The 49ers are a different team when their franchise quarterback has been available, though. Garoppolo started all 16 games in 2019, leading San Francisco to a Super Bowl appearance.

"They were just checking on Stafford," Garafolo added. "I'm sure Deshaun Watson, they would check in on him. Maybe some other guys, to see what the quarterback landscape is like. But if Garoppolo is back, which is certainly something that they have indicated, I'm not going to be surprised."

Garoppolo passed for 1,096 yards with seven touchdowns and five interceptions through six games in 2020. He owns a record of 24-9 (including playoffs) as the 49ers' starting quarterback.