During ESPN's First Take, Louis Riddick weighed in on the quarterback situation for the San Francisco 49ers. He fully expects Jimmy Garoppolo to start Week 1 against the Detroit Lions, remain the starter, and play well throughout the 2021 season ... with one caveat. The veteran quarterback must do something he hasn't been able to do throughout his career — stay healthy.
Injuries sidelined Garoppolo for 23 games over the last three seasons. He missed 10 games last season. The quarterback has only once made it out of September injury-free during a season in which he started. That was the 2019 campaign that saw Garoppolo coming off an ACL injury from the previous year.
If Garoppolo can remain in the lineup, Riddick feels that he will respond well to the challenge of having a rookie quarterback waiting in the wings. Trey Lance was the No. 3 overall pick, though, so expect head coach Kyle Shanahan to utilize him in some fashion this season, even with Garoppolo as the starter. Lance has not had any in-game reps since October 3, 2020, his only appearance last season. He'll need to get some experience.
"But I just see Jimmy G really responding to this," Riddick said. "He has the right DNA. He was brought up in the NFL the right way. I think he'll play some of his best football."
However, Riddick acknowledges that, given the quarterback's history, the odds are against Garoppolo staying healthy for 17 games. He feels there is a strong possibility that Lance may be forced to play by mid-season.
"And if he does, I think you're going to see why they drafted him No. 3 overall," Riddick said, "because having seen this kid up close — stood right next to him, talked to him — this kid's a freak in every sense of the word. That's nothing but compliments I'm giving him. He's a freak, and there's a reason why Kyle (Shanahan) and the rest of the people in San Francisco are excited. And everyone else is going to be too when they fully unleash him on the NFL."
Monica McNutt asked Riddick if he feels, in an ideal situation, that Garoppolo holds off Lance for the entire season. After all, San Francisco traded a lot of future draft capital to move up to select Lance.
"I think that he'll stay the starter as long as he stays healthy," Riddick responded. "I think Jimmy will respond to this challenge. He will be a professional because that's what he's always been. And this football team, as it's presently constructed, will be right there in contention for the NFC title and then for a Super Bowl berth. I believe that wholeheartedly. I've always been a big believer in Jimmy."
Riddick adds that the 49ers have the luxury of being patient with Lance's development because of Garoppolo being on the roster.
"[Lance is] going to play, hopefully, 10, 12, 15 years in San Francisco," Riddick comments. "There's no rush to put him in there. And if Jimmy can provide that kind of stability and allow them to take their time ... it's the ideal model."
'I hope Trey is going after Jimmy's job': 49ers' George Kittle says Garoppolo thrives on competition
By David Bonilla
Jul 23, 2021
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle spoke with Cam Inman of Bay Area News Group this week. In what was probably some prep-work for the likely-to-be top discussion topic once training camp kicks off next week, the All-Pro player was asked about the upcoming training camp quarterback battle ... which may or may not be an actual battle.
Players may be tired of discussing Jimmy Garoppolo's job. It has been a big storyline the past two offseasons. Last year, the focus was around the 49ers possibly replacing their quarterback, who had just helped guide the team to a Super Bowl, with future Hall of Famer Tom
49ers' Kyle Juszczyk: 'As long as Jimmy's healthy, I think he's our guy'
By David Bonilla
Jul 20, 2021
Kyle Juszczyk is going to support whoever is lined up under center for the San Francisco 49ers. The plan is for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to be that guy when the team travels to Detroit for Week 1. However, San Francisco planned for the future, surrendering future draft picks to trade up to No. 3 overall for Trey Lance.
The 49ers own a championship-caliber roster. Garoppolo has led the team to a Super Bowl before, so it's easy to conclude that the team's best chance of getting there again is with the veteran.
San Francisco's Pro Bowl fullback joined the Ross Tucker Football Podcast this week and was asked about his team's quarterback situation. It's a topic that Juszczyk has grown used to discussing at length. Most 49ers players probably have. It will
49ers' George Kittle and Trent Williams: This is Jimmy Garoppolo's team
By Chris Wilson
Jul 30, 2021
The 49ers' pair of offensive stars were adamant Garoppolo remains the Niners' leader and starting quarterback. The duo also praised rookie QB Trey Lance but admitted the first-round pick's "hype man" game is a work in progress.
San Francisco 49ers star tight end George Kittle and stud left tackle Trent Williams didn't entertain the concept of a quarterback competition during an interview with NFL Network this afternoon. In the midst of Friday's practice, the stars' answers to questions about Jimmy Garoppolo and first-round-rookie QB Trey Lance left little to the imagination.
The two All-Pros went beyond echoing 49ers head coach
Tom Pelissero: One thing Jimmy Garoppolo must do to remain the 49ers' starter in 2021
By David Bonilla
Jul 20, 2021
Jimmy Garoppolo is 24-9 (including the playoffs) as a starter since being traded to the San Francisco 49ers in 2017. The coaching staff doesn't doubt the quarterback's ability to win football games. It perhaps doubts his availability, though, and that prompted the decision to trade up to draft Trey Lance at No. 3 overall.
Garoppolo missed 10 games last season and has missed 23 games over the past three. Now, when he looks over his shoulder, he sees a 21-year-old quarterback itching to get onto the football field. So what does Garoppolo need to do to hold onto his starting job in 2021?
The answer isn't rocket science and shouldn't come as a surprise.
"Stay healthy," NFL Network's Tom Pelissero said on Good Morning Football. "The guy is
