San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will make his first start for the 49ers Sunday when they face the Chicago Bears, the team announced Tuesday afternoon. San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan met with the quarterbacks on Tuesday and informed them Garoppolo will start against the Bears, marking the start of what could be a new era for the franchise.
The 49ers acquired Garoppolo after a trade with the New England Patriots Oct. 31. The 49ers sent a second-round pick in the 2018 NFL draft to the Patriots. Shanahan had expressed reluctance to insert Garoppolo into a game, saying the quarterback was still learning the offense. However, a left leg injury to starting quarterback C.J. Beathard late in the fourth quarter of the 49ers 24-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks forced Shanahan's hand.
After taking time to learn the new offense, Garoppolo made his San Francisco debut in Sunday’s 24-13 loss to Seattle after Beathard, the starter, left with injuries to his hip and knee with just over a minute left. Garoppolo completed both of his passes, including a 10-yard scoring pass to Louis Murphy.
Beathard made five starts as a rookie after taking over for Brian Hoyer, who replaced Garoppolo as Brady’s backup in New England. Beathard completed 54.9 percent of his passes, averaged 6.4 yards per attempt, and had four TDs and six interceptions for a 69.2 passer rating.
In 18 career games, Garoppolo has completed 67.7 percent of his passes for 708 yards, throwing six touchdown passes and no interceptions.
