Given the possible departure of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, it is likely that the San Francisco 49ers try to hire a veteran quarterback.
The Niners chose Trey Lance as their quarterback of the future when they generated a trade for the third pick in the 2021 Draft. However, San Francisco doesn’t have the option of relying on Lance 100% percent, so having a backup who can win and perform well is crucial.
Plus, that quarterback has to be able to teach Lance. While Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Marcus Mariota might teach Lance something, Maurice Moton of Bleacher Reportwarns teams “in need of a quarterback,” like San Francisco, to avoid signing Mariota during the free agency period.
That has nothing to do with his intelligence, or his experience, or even his ability. But his history of injuries and lack of action in recent years is a red flag, according to Moton.
“While Mariota’s ability may be attractive to teams in need of an offensive boost, he is not a reliable player when it comes to availability,” Moton wrote. “… Mariota will generate interest, but teams should offer him a modest one-year deal due to his extensive injury history and recent inactivity. He has only started six games since 2019.
It’s a stark warning, but the stats don’t lie.
Mariota’s injury history
It’s very unfortunate when players can’t overcome the stigma of injuries, but teams have to make decisions accordingly. Part of the problem with Garoppolo it’s his own injury history, as he missed most of the 2018 and 2020 seasons before missing two more games in 2021.
Mariota had similar issues with the Titans, dealing with many injuries during his five years in Nashville. He only ended up missing eight games due to injuries, but the possibility of injury was always a constant for him.
Considering that Lance likes to use his legs and will naturally take more hits because of it, the Niners they need someone who can run coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense but can play safely and efficiently so he doesn’t get hurt.
The Niners need only look back at the 2018 and 2020 seasons. In those seasons, San Francisco used three quarterbacks as starters. It’s normal to have to rely on a backup, but the more consistency and confidence you can have the 49ers on their quarterbacks, the better for them.
Steve Young weighed in on the 49ers’ quarterback situation
One former 49ers player who believes it’s crucial for San Francisco to hire the best possible backup for Lance is Steve Young. The three-time Super Bowl champion needs no introduction, and he also has experience as a starter and as a backup.
Speaking on KNBR, Young explained that signing a competitive backup to the young quarterback is just as valuable as a blocker or offensive weapon.
“I think Trey is a raw talent,” Young said. “With the amount of snaps he had in college, it should be obvious that it’s not about the amount of snaps, it’s about — I’d say gauging the position, everything you learn in college by playing tough games. But actually that didn’t happen much… I love having someone who can push you. I’m not looking to do that, but I do think he needs to have someone older than him who can make him understand what’s important and what’s not. ´You must do this´, and if he does not do it, then you have to teach him how to study and how to memorize the plays. ”
No matter how well he plays, it’s not going to be an easy road for Lance. And if things go worse than expected, the Niners will need a backup that he can put the team on his shoulder and win. A player of that quality will also be considered an “opponent” for Lance, and that could fulfill what Young is asking for.
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