With no significant changes to the quarterback, the early moves of the 49ers free agency supported the confidence of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch expressed during off-season quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
Although there has been some speculation, it could bring a reserve through trade or free agency to compete with Garoppolo at some level, no such move has been made. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Jacoby Brissett, Cam Newton and Jameis Winston all received offers and opportunities to get started. The only rumored interest in San Francisco was former Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky, who signed a one-year contract with Bills. Their only overtures reported to a signal caller were an in-person visit to veteran QB Joe Flacco.
Except for a significant transaction or move on the board on project day, it appears that Garoppolo has a tight position at the starting job.
Instead of trying to find a player to push Garoppolo, San Francisco made moves to protect him and restore a defense capable of winning a championship.
They signed left-back striker Trent Williams on a record deal that makes him the highest-paid offensive line. They also added Alex Mack, a six-time Pro Bowl center, to a three-year deal that will bolster a quality inside offensive line that has given the 49ers problems in the past two seasons. Keeping Garoppolo healthy is essential and keeping him upright will go a long way.
San Francisco has also re-signed defender Kyle Juszczyk, who is one of the keys to unlocking the running game that makes the 49ers’ attack so dangerous. Versatility and deception allow runners to find wide open holes and pass the catch to run free – both things that make life easier for a defender who may need game assistance.
Although they did not make other major additions to the offense, they signed again the corner defenders Emmanuel Moseley and Jason Verrett, who are thinking of going to the training camp as beginners from outside. The 49ers strengthened their passing speed with a Samson Ebukam hyper-athletic edge slider, which provides depth on the edge and a possible replacement for Dee Ford in case the often injured defensive end will not be available.
There are a few more changes before the 49ers have a list that can legitimately compete for a Super Bowl this year. They need a better depth at the wide receiver, they need more help at the corner and a greater depth in the trenches would not hurt on both sides of the ball.
If they are able to tick all those houses this season and stay healthy, it is not out of the question to fight again for a championship if Garoppolo starts in the center.
The truth is that they have built a list that can win with a player like him who barks signals. Couples a hasty explosive attack with a lot of pass catchers, which specializes a few meters after capture.
This is a team that can win even if their defender has shortcomings. Fragments of the passing attack and some frustrating sacks and turnover will be missing due to Garoppolo’s absence, but the organization clearly believes that I can win with him this year. Everything they said and every move out of season they did.
On the other hand, it is still time for the club to make a splash. Texan defender Deshaun Watson still wants a deal, although he is now being investigated by the NFL for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. Jets could change quarterback Sam Darnold as well. The project will tell us a lot about how the 49ers feel about Garoppolo. If he trades for a quarterback in Round 1, it will put some uncertainty on his status as a starter during the season, even if he is the incumbent.
San Francisco has not taken steps to engage with Garoppolo after this year, in part because of his field defects and in part because of his inability to stay healthy for two of the last three years. However, the steps they have taken have shown confidence in him in 2021. With a talented list built around him, how far the 49ers go this season will determine what kind of game they receive from the signal caller they I decide to keep it.