Breaking Down The San Francisco 49ers’ Quarterback Situation After Jimmy Garoppolo Injury

There are conflicting reports about how long San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will need to recover after suffering a broken foot in their win over the Miami Dolphins last week.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported this week that Garoppolo did not need surgery and could return in time for the Divisional Round of the playoffs after a seven to eight-week recovery.

However, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan described Garoppolo as having a “way outside chance” of being back in the fold for the playoffs.

And NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported on Sunday ahead of the 49ers’ Week 14 game with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that Garoppolo is looking at a three-month rehabilitation period with a return for the playoffs not considered realistic.

Regardless of which report is accurate, a Garoppolo playoff return looks to be a long shot, but what does the current situation mean for the Niners, Garoppolo and the rookie who was so impressive replacing him against the Dolphins, Brock Purdy, in the immediate future and going forward?

49ers ready to ride with Purdy

The potential for a postseason Garoppolo return would obviously give the 49ers a possible alternative if they are not confident with Purdy approaching the playoffs.

But, with Shanahan playing down the chances of Garoppolo coming back and Rapoport’s report echoing that pessimism, San Francisco will unquestionably attack the rest of the year as if Purdy will be the undisputed starter the rest of the way regardless of the health of any other quarterback on the roster.

And they will do so with utmost confidence Purdy can succeed.

Fred Warner, speaking on The Rich Eisen Show this week, said he believes the 49ers can win the Super Bowl with Purdy under center.

“In my mind, I always say, ‘Never say never,'” Warner said. “It’s such an unlikely story to have Mr. Irrelevant come in, lead the Niners to a Super Bowl. I think that’s what everybody’s going to write us off on, and that’s fine. If that’s what everyone wants the narrative to be, I’m completely fine with that. I’m so completely laser-focused, just like I know the team is, on taking this thing one week at a time.”

Should the 49ers knock off Brady and the Bucs this week, San Francisco’s faith in their ability to contend with Purdy will only grow stronger.

Garoppolo likely set for exit door

Even if the more optimistic timeline proves correct, the Garoppolo era in San Francisco is probably done.

It’s unlikely he will be ready in time for the playoffs and, if the 49ers are performing at a level that has allowed them to reach the postseason in comfortable fashion with Purdy at the helm, it’s difficult to see them wanting to replace the rookie with a quarterback coming off an injury in a do-or-die game even if Garoppolo does defy the odds.

And, in a scenario where Purdy plays well, the 49ers would have little motivation to re-sign Garoppolo, a free agent in the offseason, given they would have Lance and Purdy on team-friendly rookie deals.

A shorter recovery period means Garoppolo won’t be rehabbing during the offseason and theoretically increases the chances of the 49ers making a push for his services should they struggle down the stretch and in the postseason, particularly after a year in which Garoppolo played some of his best football. However, inviting a quarterback controversy between Lance and Garoppolo following a season in which the latter suffered yet another injury would be optically difficult for San Francisco.

Sadly, the snap that saw Garoppolo break his foot was likely his last for the Niners, but an abbreviated recovery should make sure he receives plenty of interest on the open market.

Purdy has huge opportunity

For Purdy, the mission does not change, he is tasked with doing his best Garoppolo impression and piloting the 49er offense to the postseason.

That is something he did extremely well when taking the reins in relief of Garoppolo against the Dolphins, Purdy showing poise, accuracy and decisiveness in throwing for 210 yards and two touchdowns, along with a fourth-down interception in an impressive performance.

Shanahan said of Purdy on KNBR on Thursday (h/t 49ers Webzone): “He hung in there, took some big hits, made some big-time throws, wasn’t scared to pull the trigger, ran around, made a couple of off-schedule plays, and I was really impressed with him. When it was all said and done on offense, I think he was probably the player of the game.”

For the 49ers to stay afloat in the race for the Super Bowl, they may need Purdy to be the player of the game a couple more times.

The onus could well be taken off him given the strength of the support system he has both in terms of offensive weapons and the quality of the 49er defense. In that sense, the expectations for what Purdy may be asked to do are quite low. Yet, with Garoppolo and Lance on the shelf for probably the remainder of the campaign, he has the chance to change opinions.

Should he exceed expectations in ensuring the Niners get to the postseason and are still a Super Bowl team, the offseason conversation about whose team it should be from a quarterback perspective may be a little more interesting than some expect.