Looking ahead …

Unless Garoppolo takes a significant step backward in 2020, he’s the team’s long-term answer at quarterback. They also have two young players behind him in Beathard and Mullens that they trust in reserve roles.

With Beathard on the final year of his deal, they may opt to move on from him in favor of a rookie they take later in this year’s draft. However, Beathard is well-liked and already has three years in the offense. If they do wind up finding a trade suitor for Mullens, Beathard suddenly becomes a valuable member of their quarterback room.

The good news for the 49ers in 2020 is that Garoppolo isn’t coming off an ACL tear. He’ll be healthy for the entire offseason, which means he won’t have to spend the down time rehabbing his surgically repaired knee, and can instead hone the minute details of his position that will help elevate him into the upper echelon of NFL quarterbacks.

If Garoppolo does take a significant step back in 2020, things get extremely dicey for San Francisco’s future. If he doesn’t, they’re likely in the playoffs again to make another run at a Super Bowl.

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