49ers should feel good about future
The San Francisco 49ers are 4-10 and dead last in the NFC West. This season has seen three starting quarterbacks, beginning with Brian Hoyer before C.J. Beathard got the nod. Then, three weeks ago, Jimmy Garoppolo was inserted into the position only weeks after the 49ers acquired him from the New England Patriots for only a 2018 second round pick.
Since then, Garoppolo has started three games and beaten the Chicago Bears, Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans. He has completed two-thirds of his throws with four touchdowns, but most importantly has led two fourth-quarter comebacks, leading to field goals by Robbie Gould.
On a three-game winning streak, both San Francisco and the 49ers are feeling good, and rightfully so. Garoppolo is in the last year of his rookie deal, but the 49ers have more than enough cap space to either lock him up to a long-term deal, or swallow the large franchise tag that would accompany such a move. General manager John Lynch will likely apply the tag, considering it basically allows San Francisco a full look at Gar0ppolo through a full offseason, preseason, regular season, and if things go really well, a postseason.
The 26-year-old has only been with the team for a little over a month, but the impression has been real. The 49ers have been transformed from a loser to a competing team almost overnight, making even the veterans stand up and take notice. Per NFL.com:
“It really has been incredible,” said Pro Bowl fullback Kyle Juszczyk. “He stopped in Day 1 and in his own way commanded respect. We all saw the way he was preparing himself and the way he went about his business. He’s been a phenomenal leader. He’s definitely already the leader of our offense and keeps everyone dialed in on the sideline and in the huddle.”
For Lynch, the move to acquire Garoppolo has been a stroke of genius. The 49ers are still going to have their first round pick, which likely falls in the top five overall. Instead of bring almost forced to take a quarterback (or spending a fortune on one in free agency), San Francisco can now go with the best player available to continue building a solid foundation. Additionally, with the 49ers projected to have more than $110 million in cap space — most in the league — there is real reason to expect some large moves by the club in hopes of giving Garoppolo a legitimate chance to succeed in 2018.
Things have been bleak in San Francisco for some time, but the fog is lifting from this team, and the chance to be something special in short oder is evident.
