The San Francisco 49ers could attempt to recruit a former New England Patriots quarterback to their roster for the 2024 season. In recent years, head coach Kyle Shanahan has developed a strong interest in quarterbacks taught by Bill Belichick.
Kyle Shanahan likes former New England Patriots QBs
The Patriots traded Garoppolo to the 49ers during the middle of the 2017 season. He would stay there until 2022, having led the 49ers to a Super Bowl trip in 2019.
Following Garoppolo’s departure to the Las Vegas Raiders last season, Shanahan hoped to entice Tom Brady out of retirement for a Super Bowl run in 2023. Brock Purdy claimed he was aware of Shanahan’s plan to make Brady the starter if they could sign him.
That did not happen. And Purdy was able to lead the 49ers to the Super Bowl in February. The 49ers are poised to lose Purdy’s backup, Sam Darnold, to free agency owing to cap constraints.
Jimmy Garoppolo could be the “best fit” for the 49ers
According to Adam Wells of Bleacher Report, Garoppolo would be the greatest fit with the 49ers for next season:
“49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan hasn’t publicly said anything negative about Garoppolo, but his actions over the years suggest he was ready to move on long before it actually happened…”
After Garoppolo’s foot injury, Brock Purdy took over as the 49ers’ starter, giving both sides a clean break.
Looking at the quarterback depth chart for 2024, the 49ers need a backup. Sam Darnold and Brandon Allen, their second and third options this season, are scheduled to become free agents.
Garoppolo’s only sustained success in the NFL came in Shanahan’s scheme. From 2017 to 2022, he went 38-17 in 55 regular-season starts for the 49ers, guiding the team to two NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl berth in 2019.
The San Francisco 49ers need a solid backup for Brock Purdy
Garoppolo will miss the first two weeks of the 2018 season after being suspended for breaching the league’s performance-enhancing substance policy. But this shouldn’t be a concern for the 49ers because Purdy will be the starter next season.
If Purdy gets hurt, the 49ers will need someone to run Shanahan’s system. Garoppolo can do it. If QB1 goes down, he’ll be the 49ers’ best shot to win the Super Bowl next season.
