Jimmy Garoppolo is the most likely candidate to be San Francisco's starting quarterback in 2021, and it sounds like that's fine by the 49ers. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler recently reported that the Niners are among the teams that Deshaun Watson is "intrigued by." The quarterback wants out of Houston, but the Texans have no desire to trade him and are still hoping to reconcile their differences.
Fowler added on SportsCenter this weekend that it would take a monumental opportunity, like adding Watson, for the 49ers to even consider moving on from Garoppolo.
"I'm told San Fran is looking at potential upgrades, but they still like Jimmy G," Fowler said via Bleacher Report. "He's 24-9 as a starter, including the playoffs, with the Niners. They believe they can win with him, but it would take a big swing, like a Deshaun Watson effect here, to make that change. And I'm told that the 49ers are one of the teams that Watson's at least intrigued by."
It was just a year ago that San Francisco was playing in the Super Bowl. 2020's downfall was due to injuries, and with the right offseason moves, the 49ers could return as a contender in 2021.
Garoppolo's ability to win football games for San Francisco has never been in doubt. The concern surrounds his availability. The quarterback has missed 23 games over the past three seasons, including missing 10 this past season. He passed for 1,096 yards, seven touchdowns, and five interceptions in his six appearances.
Upgrading to Watson would instantly make San Francisco among the favorites to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LVI. Of course, it would also cost a lot. The Texans are expected to fetch significant draft capital and possibly some young talented players for Watson, if the quarterback can force a trade.
Added Fowler: "A source said, 'Which quarterback wouldn't want to be in that offense on that team with all those weapons and Kyle Shanahan?' So always a possibility, but the Texans have made clear they're not willing to deal Watson right now. Garoppolo's still a viable option for San Fran."