The 49ers are done.... right?

As a lifelong 49ers fan, watching Jimmy Garappolo be carted to the locker room against Miami on Sunday was saddening and frustrating.

It was saddening because it will be the 3rd season since 2018 that Jimmy G will finish the season on IR and to see one player go through so many injuries is disheartening. At the same time, it was frustrating to watch because this will be the 3rd season since 2018 that Jimmy G will finish the season on IR and the 2nd time it's happened with the 49ers having a Super Bowl caliber roster. It would be an understatement to say that Jimmy G's time in San Francisco has been the definition of "boom or bust." Here's how his six seasons with the 49ers have gone.

2017 - Won every start he made after joining the team, finishing 5-0

2018 - Season ending injury

2019 - Took the 49ers to the Super Bowl

2020 - Season ending injury

2021 - Took the 49ers to the NFC Championship Game

2022 - Season ending injury

Given Kyle Shanahan's record as a head coach without Garappolo as his starter, it's easy to see why some might say the 49ers' season is effectively over. While I don't think they are as strong a contender as they were prior to Jimmy G's injury, I do think there is something different about this version of the 49ers. They have the best array of offensive weapons they've had since Shanahan got the Bay. Their defense is playing at an all time great level. Some will say that they haven't played anyone, which is true to a degree. However, in today's NFL, with the rules so slanted towards offenses putting up points, to have only given up 20+ points one time in 12 games is remarkable. Whether it's Brock Purdy, Baker Mayfield, Ryan Fitzpatrick, or someone else, the 49ers don't need their quarterback to be Superman. This version of the 49ers only needs their quarterback to be Clark Kent. They just need a guy to come in and do his job by getting the ball into their playmakers' hands and limiting mistakes. I'll agree that's easier said than done but, I'm hopeful that Kyle Shanahan and his staff have learned from their previous misfortune at the quarterback position and they will put whoever their signal caller is in the absolute best position possible to succeed.

The 49ers have not one but, two swiss army knives in Deebo Samuel and Christian McCaffrey. In addition to Samuel and McCaffrey, they have a slew of talent at every skill position from George Kittle to Brandon Aiyuk to Jajuan Jennings to Kyle Juszczyk. Any one of the previously named players is a danger to opposing defenses wihen they get the ball in open space. The 49ers have, if not the best, one of the two best defenses in the entire NFL. They have one of the best play designers and play callers in the history of the NFL on their sideline. They have above average special teams units. Last but not least, they have the last pick in the 2022 draft, Brock "Mr. Irrelevant" Purdy, as their starting quaterback. And because of that, the 49ers are done.... right?