One key factor can help San Francisco 49ers 'challenge' Rams this year, claims analyst

ESPN analyst Chris Canty has made a bold prediction about the fortunes of the San Francisco 49ers ahead of the 2022 NFL season. 

Despite having a put up a record of 33-16 for the San Francisco 49ers across the regular and postseason, with one of those seasons ending in a Super Bowl appearance and last season reaching the NFC Championship game, the team have decided that it’s time for them to move away from former franchise quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

Having picked up a number of injuries during his time there, combined with some sub-par performances when they needed him most (such as in that Super Bowl where he went 20 for 31, threw for just 219 yards and had 1 touchdown to 2 interceptions) the team saw fit to draft his heir-apparent in Trey Lance in 2021.

To move on from someone who, despite their limitations, has managed to help get the team to two conference championships in the space of three years does seem like a bit of an odd move, but the 49ers are clearly focused on the future rather than the present as reports are stating that the 49ers, even though they could have kept Garoppolo on for another year whilst Lance developed, are allowing the 30-year-old to find a new team and will facilitate trade talks for his services.

Whether or not a team comes in and makes a trade offer for Garoppolo is a different matter, he may well have to remain the team’s backup, but the writing is certainly on the wall when it comes to his playing time for the 49ers, with all signs pointing towards Lance starting the season for them.

And Chris Canty thinks that the inclusion of Lance could be what propels the 49ers forward as an organisation.

Speaking on ESPN’s Get Up, Canty felt that because of the restrictions the 49ers had to deal