Jimmy Garoppolo Still the 49ers QB of the Future According to Coach Kyle Shanahan

Injury-prone San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is still in the future plans of the franchise, according to coach Kyle Shanahan.

Garoppolo has shown that, when healthy, he can be a solid NFL quarterback. He was a major reason that the Niners were the NFC Champions in 2019, when he played 16 games and ended the season with a QB rating of 102.0.

This season has been another struggle though, as Garoppolo has played in only six games, throwing seven touchdowns and six interceptions. The Niners have slumped to a mark of 6-9.

Shanahan said Monday that Garoppolo will be the team's quarterback when the 2021 season starts, unless there are some unforeseen circumstances.

"Yes, I do believe Jimmy is going to be our quarterback next year," Shanahan said via ESPN.

Shanahan's remark is not a surprise. It's along the same lines of what he said back in November after Garoppolo suffered an ankle sprain.

Despite the Super Bowl appearance, the Niners were reportedly in the mix to bring in free agent quarterback Tom Brady last offseason, but they backed off and in the end decided to stay with Garoppolo.

It wouldn't be a surprise to hear rumblings that the Niners will again be looking around for possible replacements for Garoppolo this upcoming offseason.

"You can't say anything with certainty," Shanahan said.

"You don't sit here and make promises on anything. When you build a football team, it's your job to put the best team together year in and year out."