Are the 49ers done with Jimmy Garoppolo after benching?

Jimmy Garoppolo returned from an ankle injury on Sunday, but got benched by halftime against the Miami Dolphins.

The San Francisco 49ers entered this weekend with huge smiles on their face, as quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was making his return under center in Week 5.

Three weeks ago, Garoppolo suffered a high ankle sprain during the 49ers’ infamous injury game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. What better way for “Jimmy G” to make his return than with a favorable matchup against the Miami Dolphins. Should be easy for the 49ers star signal caller, right?

Sunday was a nightmare for Garoppolo, as he only competed 7-of-17 pass attempts for 77 yards, zero touchdowns and two interceptions. To make matters worse, Garoppolo fumbled a possession while getting sacked three times. “Jimmy G” was benched in favor of backup C.J. Beathard as the team says it was to protect him.

Are they really? Or are they done with Garoppolo as a starting quarterback.

49ers have hinted this past year that they’re not exactly sold on Garoppolo

As mentioned above, the 49ers sent Garoppolo to the bench as a precaution, with it potentially relating to his ankle. But, that’s really hard to believe. Garoppolo was atrocious in the first half against a bottom-half defense in the NFL.

Even though Garoppolo was handed a $137.5 million contract in 2018 and that he helped lead the team to Super Bowl LIV last season, the 49ers front office hasn’t exactly been 100-percent sold on him.

Let’s not forget that general manager John Lynch said he and head coach Kyle Shanahan have had discussions about potentially signing Tom Brady this past offseason. Brady was interested in joining his childhood team, and Lynch was open ears. That was a tell-tale sign that the team believes they are a quarterback away from bringing home their sixth Lombardi Trophy.

With this blowout loss to the Dolphins, the 49ers will fall to 2-3 on the season and into last place in the tough NFC West. San Francisco has made it clear that they have Super Bowl aspirations this year.

If Garoppolo’s play doesn’t improve, then it’s onto the next quarterback for Shanahan and the 49ers. Yes, even if that quarterback is Beathard.