Five things to watch in remainder of 49ers' 2020 season
The 49ers are clinging to slim playoff hopes with six games remaining.The 49ers (4-6) are a full two games behind the Arizona Cardinals for the seventh and final spot in the NFC playoffs. Moreover, three teams from the NFC North are ahead of the 49ers with one fewer loss.The playoffs are certainly not out of the realm of possibility. But the 49ers cannot afford more than another defeat along the way with games remaining against the Los Angeles Rams, Buffalo, Washington, Dallas, Arizona and Seattle.While the 49ers work toward remaining in contention for a spot on the postseason, they will also have some questions answered along the way about the future of the franchise.Here are five things to watch the rest of the way that will have impacts on how general manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan plan for the 2021 season:
Jaquiski Tartt has started every game in which he has appeared since the beginning of the 2017 season. However, Tartt has been available for only 36 games in four years. He is out for the remainder of this season with a hyperextended big toe.
Tartt is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agency, and it seems unlikely the 49ers will make much of an effort to re-sign him.
After all, they already have two young players – Tarvarius Moore and Marcell Harris -- under controlled costs next season of being on their rookie contracts.
The 49ers selected Moore with the No. 95 overall pick in the 2018 draft. He made the start against the New Orleans Saints in Week 10. He was a big reason for the success of the 49ers’ pass defense.
It would appear to be time to elevate Moore into the starting lineup – and keep him there for as long as he remains with the organization. But he has to prove it while he has that chance.
After this season, the 49ers will have to make a decision on whether to pick up the fifth-year option on right tackle Mike McGlinchey for the 2022 season. Regardless, they will certainly have him back for next year.
The 49ers will be evaluating the other spots on the line in these final six games. But we can envision other starting spots along the offensive line going to left guard Laken Tomlinson, Daniel Brunskill or Ben Garland at center, and Colton McKivitz at right guard.
The one major question mark for the future is at left tackle.
Trent Williams still has good football ahead of him. Shanahan made it known this week that re-signing Williams will be a top priority.
“Trent knows how I feel about him and how our whole team feels about him,” Shanahan said. “I think Trent feels the same, so hopefully it makes sense for him to stay here and I know it makes sense for us.”
If the 49ers are unable to bring back Williams, that will open a gaping hole on the offensive line that will be difficult to fill.
The 49ers hope Nick Bosa returns to form for the 2021 season after his season was cut short due to a torn ACL. It is difficult to imagine a scenario in which Dee Ford is back. Solomon Thomas is scheduled for free agency, and his price tag could allow him to return.
D.J. Jones, Kerry Hyder and Ronald Blair are also scheduled for free agency. Hyder has played well enough to see a significant raise from his $1.5 million pay of this season.
Over the final six weeks of the season, the 49ers will have plenty of chances to see Jordan Willis, Dion Jordan and, perhaps, Takk McKinley.
What they see from those players will undoubtedly be a factor in how they proceed during the offseason as they look to build depth on the defensive line.
Emmanuel Moseley is scheduled to a restricted free agent. He should be back on a cost-effective deal.
Sure, the 49ers could use a top draft selection on a Day 1 starter at cornerback – a move they have been reluctant to make in the recent past. And this could be that time to get a talented, big-bodied cover guy who has a chance to match up against NFC West wide receivers DeAndre Hopkins and DK Metcalf.
All things being equal, the 49ers would love to have Richard Sherman back in 2021. But the organization must determine whether that is the best move for the future of the franchise.
Sherman is wrapping up a self-negotiated three-year contract that will pay him more than $30 million. But he is 32, and he has not played since Week 1 due to a lingering calf issue.
Could the 49ers have concerns about his health for the future? How much will it take to re-sign him? Is 2021 the time to get younger? Do the 49ers opt to re-sign Jason Verrett over Sherman?
Those are all legitimate questions.
Sherman is working to get back on the field for the game against the Rams on Nov. 29. The entire league will be watching how he moves in these final games of the season to project his value for 2021.
It is doubtful that anything the 49ers see on the field the rest of the way at the quarterback position will come as any surprise.
After all, Nick Mullens, C.J. Beathard and Jimmy Garoppolo have been with the organization since 2017. The 49ers know exactly what they are getting with each of those players.
Garoppolo’s status beyond this season will continue to be “the elephant in the room,” as Lynch described it, until a firm decision is made in the offseason.
Garoppolo is scheduled to be paid $25.5 million in 2021. The only quarterback in the NFL scheduled to make more is Jared Goff, whom the Los Angeles Rams are set to pay $27.825 million.
Shanahan said he expects Garoppolo to be the starter next season. He also said there have been no decisions made about the future.
Could Garoppolo be back? Of course.
Could the 49ers move on? Sure.
Garoppolo has missed the past two games with a high ankle sprain. Shanahan said he is hopeful Garoppolo returns to the lineup this season.
If he does play again this season, it likely means the 49ers are still alive in the hunt for the postseason.
One thing is for certain: Garoppolo is the best option among the three 49ers quarterbacks.
