What will the biggest difference be in San Francisco’s game plan with Jimmy Garoppolo back versus had a backup played?
They’ll get more aggressive in the passing game. With Nick Mullens under center they rely on a lot of deception and play action to scheme open quick or easy throws. They do that with Garoppolo too, but the passing attack is more diverse. Garoppolo is a bigger risk-taker with a better arm so their vertical passing game becomes a little more prominent when he’s under center. It’ll still be a heavy dose of pre-play window dressing, 12 personnel and play action, but defenses can’t just stuff the 49ers’ offense into a 10-yard box between the numbers the way they can with a backup QB.