The San Francisco 49ers have already lost their second quarterback for the entire season after Jimmy Garoppolo broke his foot. Will “Mr. Irrelevant” now be trusted by the “Niners”? Or will the 49ers grab Baker Mayfield?

Munich – The San Francisco 49ers had to pay dearly for their 33:17 victory over the Miami Dolphins. Because during the game quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo broke his foot and is thus out for the rest of the season.

Bitter on the one hand because the 49ers, with a record of 8-4, are still in the thick of the race for the playoffs. But also bitter because “Jimmy G” is not the first quarterback the “Niners” have had to do without for the rest of the season due to injury.

Starter Trey Lance missing since Week 2

On just the second day of play this season, starting quarterback Trey Lance suffered a broken ankle in the game against the Seattle Seahawks. Fortunately for San Francisco, they were still able to compensate for this loss with Garoppolo and the 31-year-old also delivered.

In eleven games, the veteran scored 16 touchdowns with only four interceptions. 2437 passing yards are on the books. Very decent numbers for a backup quarterback.

San Francisco’s Deja-vu

Against the Dolphins, however, the same fate befell the 49ers once again and the question comes up as to who will lead the team onto the field at quarterback for the remainder of the season and perhaps even clinch a spot in the playoffs.

At this point, the 49ers have two options available from within their ranks. Garoppolo’s previous backup and presumptive new starter Brock Purdy and Jacob Eason from the practice squad are on San Francisco’s roster.

Do the 49ers respond directly?

But the quarterback group is expected to be augmented by Josh Jacobs from the Denver Broncos’ practice squad, according to a report from NFL insider Adam Schefter. The 36-year-old playmaker has been under contract with 14 different teams in his 13 NFL seasons – this also marks Johnson’s third return to San Francisco.

It is unlikely that Jacobs or Eason will start. Accordingly, Purdy would make the running.

49ers: Suddenly Mayfield is on the market

But on Monday, events rolled over: The Carolina Panthers dumped Baker Mayfield on the market.

The No. 1 pick reportedly asked for it himself after it became clear he had no chance with interim coach Steve Wilks. No doubt in part because an option like the one he had with the 49ers opened up.

His short time with the Panthers was unhappy, he never arrived, didn’t deliver.

Is now the time for the next fresh start? Mayfield lands on the waiver list, where the 49ers could select the 27-year-old.

Is GM John Lynch making a move? He’s been known to take a risk at times. Sure: Mayfield is experienced after four-and-a-half years in the NFL, but hasn’t been able to match previous performances for some time when he led the Cleveland Browns to the playoffs.

On the other hand, it’s all about the playoffs, the postseason, the Super Bowl. Going into this with inexperienced playmakers is no less risky.

49ers: What’s in it for Purdy?

What’s in it for Purdy? He came on the field against Miami early in the first half for the injured “Jimmy G” and led San Francisco to victory. Purdy threw two touchdowns, completed 25 of 37 passes and amassed 210 passing yards – though he also had one interception on the day.

But even before his first appearance, Purdy had already made a name for himself. The playmaker was, after all, the “Mr. Irrelevant” of this year’s draft. The 22-year-old was the last player of the draft to be picked by the 49ers and therefore receives the usual designation.

Nevertheless, there is something to be said for “Mr. Irrelevant”. Because unlike Eason and Mayfield, Purdy knows the playbook.

The rookie quarterback also has this advantage over other free agents. This late in the season, many coaches trust players who don’t have to learn the team’s philosophy and playbook.

Trade no longer possible – What does the free agent market offer?

However, the free agent market also offers candidates that the 49ers could consider – and who are even bigger than Purdy in terms of names and in some cases even bigger than Mayfield. A trade is out of the question, by the way, since the trade deadline already expired on November 1.

So who else could be considered? Initial names already floating around social media include Cam Newton, Josh Rosen and Mike Glennon. All three have NFL experience, but also haven’t played in a while. Advantage Mayfield.

Does Purdy get the vote of confidence?

Should the 49ers waive Mayfield, it is quite likely that Jacobs will become backup with the “Niners” and should bring experience to the quarterback group. Purdy will then probably get the chance to prove himself as a rookie.

And who knows, maybe “Mr. Irrelevant” will become “Mr. Relevant” after all if he makes the playoffs. From the 49ers’ point of view, we can only hope that the third quarterback doesn’t get injured as well.