The San Francisco 49ers have a chance to make the playoffs on their own in Week 18. To do so, however, they need a win against the Los Angeles Rams. Who will be at quarterback has not yet been determined.

Munich/San Francisco – Week 18 in the NFL is not only the end of the regular season, but also the day of decisions. While for most of the league everything is already clear, for a few teams it is still up in the air whether they will be allowed to continue playing football after this weekend.

Among them are the San Francisco 49ers. But not only the question of whether the “Niners” will qualify for the playoffs is open, but also the question of who will lead them there as quarterback.

Garoppolo or Lance? Shanahan leaves back door open

The number one player in the Depth Chart is Jimmy Garoppolo. However, the 30-year-old did not always shine with good performances and was also injured on his throwing hand. “If Jimmy is 100 per cent, we’ll go with Jimmy at quarterback,” Kyle Shanahan revealed at a pre-match media session at the Los Angeles Rams.

“We’re certainly not just throwing someone in who’s made a play, even though Jimmy’s made it all year,” the head coach continued.

What at first sounds like a clear announcement, the head coach of the Californians later put into perspective: “At this point of the year, hardly any player is at 100 percent, so it’s going to be tough for Jimmy. Trey (Lance, ed.) has done a very good job.” Lance had led the 49ers to a key 23-7 win over the Houston Texans in Week 17.

“If that’s the case, we won’t hesitate for a second to let Trey play. If Jimmy gives his okay, then he’ll play,” the 49ers head coach concluded on what has been a vexed subject for him.

Garoppolo or Lance: Whose future is it?

So while Shanahan is moderating away pesky questions about the quarterback situation for now, they will be asked again no later than the preparation for the 2022 season – and rightfully so.

After all, the 49ers gave away a whopping three first-round picks before the 2021 NFL Draft to move up to third and select Lance there. A diamond in the rough that has yet to be polished, that much was certain at the time.

Even then, there was debate about whether you should just give away half your future for a player when you’re convinced about the current player at that position. In this case, that’s “Jimmy G”.

No matter who is the starter on Sunday against the Rams, there will be extreme pressure on them.

Jimmy Garoppolo, because he feels like he’s on the hit list, and Trey Lance, because he has to live up to the immense price tag of three first round picks. Be it already or in the future.