Real Headline
from
Lincolnreport
“But questions remain. Garoppolo, who starred at Rolling Meadows (Ill.) HS, will make his first start Sunday against his hometown Chicago Bears. But what do the 49ers plan to do about his contract? He’s headed for unrestricted free agency, which is one reason why the Patriots felt compelled to make a deal. The 49ers were receptive to trading for Garoppolo because they were fascinated by his talent — head coach Kyle Shanahan has had his eye on him for some time now — and they knew they had the franchise tag in their back pocket. Yes, the 49ers have held Garoppolo back from starting to this point, but they still like him enough to possibly shackle him on a one-year contract in 2018 for about $22 million. When the Arlington Heights, Ill.-born QB starts his first game for the 49ers Sunday against the Bears, it may be a health consideration for Beathard as much as it is about Garoppolo’s readiness. Shanahan conceded Beathard was “pretty banged up” with a left knee bruise and a hip strain, although neither injury is considered a long-term worry. It will be Garoppolo’s first start since subbing in for Tom Brady for the first two games of the 2016 season. The former Eastern Illinois quarterback had waited his turn behind Brady after being drafted in the second round (62nd overall in 2014). When Brady struggled badly in a Week 4 blowout that year at the Kansas City Chiefs, it was even famously asked of Bill Belichick by one New England media member whether the Patriots needed to “evaluate the quarterback position.” Belichick, naturally, scoffed. Oh, he and the Patriots held Garoppolo in high regard then, even as much work as he needed coming from a Baylor-style college offense. And all Brady did was turn in a finish for the ages in a Super Bowl victory over the Seattle Seahawks that season. Brady led another title run this past season despite being suspended the first four games. Garoppolo started the first two and was mostly brilliant — 42-of-59 passing for 496 yards and four TDs in less than six quarters of work — before getting hurt. He was slammed to the turf by the Miami Dolphins’ Kiko Alonso in the second quarter of the Week 2 game and would miss several weeks, cutting into Garoppolo’s audition time. He’d finish the season as Brady’s No. 2 but actually would watch as Jacoby Brissett took more snaps at quarterback before Brady reclaimed his starting position in Week 5.”
