In what has become the most miserable season possibly ever, the 49ers made a lightening bolt of a move, trading a second-round choice for Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
The team will reportedly release Brian Hoyer and the former Patriot could end up back in New England as a backup to Tom Brady.
The trade might open up more questions than it answers. When will Garoppolo be able start? Will it be this year? Did the team sign him to a new deal and how much are they going to pay him? Does this end the 49ers pursuit of a quarterback with the first pick in next April’s NFL draft?
Garoppolo, along with Alex Smith and Kirk Cousins, was one of the most coveted names on the potential free-agent market next year. He also is the one with least amount of experience. In four seasons with New England, Garoppolo appeared in 17 games, started two of them, and completed 64 of 94 passes for 690 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions and a passer rating of 106.2
Already, some are questioning the move, because it looks as if the 49ers traded the first of their two second-round picks, which could turn out to be the 33rd overall choice, if this winless team finishes with the worst record in football.
The 49ers also have the Bears’ second-round choice acquired in a trade when the Bears wanted to move up one spot to take quarterback Mitchell Tribusky in last year’s draft.
The 49ers were right to make this deal. They need a quarterback to animate the Kyle Shanahan offense, and Shanahan apparently liked Garoppolo when he came out in the draft from Eastern Illinois four years ago.
Also, the quarterback position was almost completely ignored under former general manager Trent Baalke. The team should go after a franchise quarterback on all fronts, even if it means drafting one at the top of next year’s draft to set up a fantastic competition between Garoppolo, current starter C.J. Beathard and possibly another top quarterbacking prospect.