49ers Rumors: Jimmy Garoppolo Predicted to Win Starting Quarterback Battle Over Trey Lance

Who are the San Francisco 49ers going to start at quarterback in Week 1 of the 2021 NFL season?

While most signs have pointed to veteran Jimmy Garoppolo getting the nod over No. 3 overall pick Trey Lance, 49ers owner Jed York believes the team can win with either player as the starter. 

Garoppolo certainly has the upper hand in terms of experience in Kyle Shanahan’s offense, but it’s going to be hard to justify keeping Lance on the bench for an extended period of time after drafting him so high in the 2021 NFL Draft. 

It’s a complicated scenario, and one that puts Garoppolo’s future in limbo, but it appears the veteran is on track to begin the season under center.

WynnBET released odds for the league’s passing yards leader this coming season, and Garoppolo and Lance are both long shots at +15000. However, when we take a look at league MVP odds, Garoppolo (+7500) has a leg up on Lance (+12500) for the award. 

That seems to signal that Garoppolo will at least start the season under center and potentially could finish it if he plays up to par. Lance, who originally had the third-best odds to win Offensive Rookie of the Year, has fallen behind Zach Wilson on the oddsboard as training camp approaches. 

The 49ers are expected to get back into form after an injury-riddled 2020 season that saw them finish with a 6-10 record. Remember, Garoppolo led the 49ers to the Super Bowl when he was healthy in the 2019 season. 

Although that seems like ages ago, San Francisco is projected to have similar success in 2021 as the 49ers have the best odds to win the NFC West at +180 and fifth in WynnBET’s Super Bowl odds at +1300.

Lance certainly could make starts this season, and his odds to lead the league in passing as well as his chances to win Rookie of the Year are a promising sign, but it seems like Garoppolo will get the first crack at things in 2021.