What happens if the 49ers keep Jimmy Garoppolo for one more season?

There is a strong possibility Jimmy Garoppolo could remain with the San Francisco 49ers for one more season.

With the San Francisco 49ers having no intentions whatsoever of cutting starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, there is a strong possibility he plays out the rest of his deal with the NFC West franchise.

Garoppolo is in the last year of his contract with the 49ers. While he would only be a $1.4 million dead cap hit if he were to be released or traded, 49ers general manager John Lynch has no interest at this time in cutting bait with Garoppolo without some compensation in return. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan says there is a “scenario” where Garoppolo spends next year with the team.

San Francisco traded up to No. 3 last spring to draft Trey Lance out of North Dakota State. What would this potential scenario look like if Garoppolo sticks around for one last season with the 49ers in 2022?

San Francisco 49ers’ plans if they end up keeping Jimmy Garoppolo for 2022

If San Francisco were to keep Garoppolo for next season, it would mean he would be the starting quarterback for the 49ers once again. Lance would serve as his backup until Garoppolo is traded mid-season, gets hurt or is usurped by him on the depth chart. San Francisco can win the division next year and make the playoffs with Garoppolo. There are also some advantages with this move.

Because former 49ers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel is now running the Miami Dolphins, it could make things a tad more challenging for Lance to leapfrog Garoppolo on the depth chart right away. This is still Shanahan’s team, but what McDaniel brought to the ground game and his overall offensive creativity cannot be denied. Garoppolo is more seasoned in Shanahan’s offense anyway.

While there is a chance Garoppolo is traded before the 2022 NFL Draft, odds are he might actually be dealt during training camp. Unfortunately, some starting quarterback will suffer a major injury in the preseason and desperate times call for desperate measures. Garoppolo’s trade value will skyrocket in that instance, as the 49ers will be able to recoup some precious draft capital for 2023.

There are way worse things than Garoppolo playing out the rest of his contract with the 49ers.