Sports

a better 2nd QB -- because the other guy is going to have to play. But really that is true with just about any team. Players always get hurt. And with a 17 game season now it's even more likely the 2nd guy is going to see the field. I know there aren't 32 good starting QBs most years never mind 64 of them, but if a team can get 2 starting-quality QBs and they can afford it based on the rest of their roster, maybe they should.

As far as play goes, Jimmy is pretty good. Sort of Alex Smith-like in so far as when the team around him is playing well, so does he, and when the team is failing so does he. He knows what he's supposed to do, and does it... Mostly. And then there are about two terrible-decision throws and two wide-open non-throws every game where you throw up your hands and ask "WTF is he doing?!"

They've got a pretty good roster this year. Big holes at CB and WR (starters good, no depth though). I think they should prioritize trying to win this year, which means keeping Jimmy and the rookie. Their cap situation allows it even if it is not ideal. Start Jimmy, and wait for an injury before starting the rookie. Or start the rookie and have a ridiculously overpaid backup for one season because it gives you the depth you need to not lose games due to QB injury.

Every time I see a team's fan base griping about their QB or coach, saying get rid of that guy, I ask "and replace him with who?" It's all well and good to decide a guy isn't who you want, but you also need to identify who is better AND available. I'm not sure who is available that makes the roster better than 3rd overall pick plus Jimmy. It's potentially awkward and unnecessarily expensive, but if they win it will be worth it.

That said, the decision probably depends on who they draft. Seems like conventional wisdom is that Jones is ready to start right away, and Lance is not. And because unused salary cap does roll over, having a conventionally small backup QB salary might be a priority if the pick is Jones, even if the yet unnamed replacement is inferior to Garoppolo.