Lynch: We are seriously looking forward to kind of rebooting our team and making a run at this thing next year

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch joined Clark Judge and Ira Kaufman on The Eye Test for Two podcast to discuss whether quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo would return for the 2021 season.

Judge asked Lynch a somewhat loaded question: “If he is injury-free, is there any doubt in your mind that Jimmy Garoppolo is your quarterback when you line up in September?”

Lynch, without any hesitation, said, “no. Not at all. I really believe that.”

That answer falls under the “what’s he supposed to say category.” We know the 49ers are high on Jimmy Garoppolo...when he’s on the field. These questions and conversations continue to come up due to Garoppolo only starting 25 of the potential 48 games during the past three seasons.

When Jimmy is healthy, and on the field, good things have happened for the organization. The team wins with Jimmy, and that matters. Lynch acknowledged that and added that the 49ers must do a better job of having better options available in the event that Jimmy G is injured:

“Being available is a big part of this thing. So we — probably as a stated goal — we have to insulate ourselves better. We’ve got to have better options if he’s not there.

I’ve watched people go through this in their careers where they struggled early. It happened to me early, and then I went eight years without missing a practice. So I believe things can happen, and I believe they will for him. I really believe that Jimmy is our guy.

When he’s healthy, he’s played at a high level. But we probably have to add someone. We probably need to improve ourselves, so if he’s not there, we’re all right; we can win games.

We are seriously looking forward to kind of rebooting our team and making a run at this thing next year. And I believe we’ve got what it takes to compete for a championship.”

It’s a crapshoot no matter what decision the 49ers make at quarterback heading in next season. Has Jimmy given you any reason to rely on him? If not, how much are you willing to invest in a backup quarterback?

Lynch’s comments make it seem like the team will add options behind Garoppolo outside of Josh Rosen and Josh Johnson, the two current backup quarterbacks. Financially, can the team justify spending $3-$6 million on a backup quarterback considering how many needs they have elsewhere?

If you’re the general manager, and you’re worried about your starter missing games, shouldn’t you be concerned with...your starter? The Niners will be betting against history here if they believe Garoppolo would stay healthy in 2021.

Lynch used himself as an example above. During his first three seasons in the NFL, Lynch missed a few games due to an undisclosed injury in ‘95 and a rib injury in ‘96. Lynch would go on to have a relatively clean bill of health for the next decade.

There are several differences between Lynch and Garoppolo’s situations. Lynch didn’t sustain multiple injuries, and he was also in his early 20s. Finally, he wasn’t making over $25 million per season.

When Lynch says “rebooting our team,” that could mean numerous things, it’s all speculation at this point. He could mean helping Garoppolo by surrounding him with more talent. Lynch could mean drafting a rookie QB or signing a veteran on a cheap deal. He could mean the team moving on from Jimmy G. Again; it’ll all be speculation until the team makes a decision.

Based on Lynch’s quotes, what do you think the 49ers do at QB this offseason?