Analysis: 49ers cash in the best insurance policy they ever bought — it’s Jimmy Garoppolo to the rescue

SANTA CLARA — Jimmy Garoppolo emerged from the interview room Sunday to a cheering throng of fans chanting his name. He signed some autographs, flashed his trademark smile and then turned to head for the locker room.

It’s a scene that has played out often since Garoppolo arrived in 2017 because he wins a lot of games. But this time it was different. Garoppolo finished off this win off the bench after agreeing to take a restructured deal to back up Trey Lance.

The season wasn’t even five quarters old when the 49ers cashed in an insurance policy that could save their season.

It’s hard to figure who looks smarter at this point, the franchise or Garoppolo, the quarterback who was pushed aside for Lance but swallowed his pride and returned to Levi’s Stadium Sunday a conquering hero in a 27-7 win over the Seattle Seahawks.

With 2:33 left in the first quarter, Lance cut upfield on a read option, was hit by Seattle linebacker Cody Barton, and his right ankle was bent in a way that wasn’t meant for the human anatomy.

It was Lance’s third carry of the game and his second on a power inside run. Such plays are part of the Lance experience, at least until he can function in the pocket as a drop-back passer.

Out came the medical staff, affixing a blow-up cast to Lance’s ankle. Off went Lance in a cart, done for the year with a fractured ankle that will require surgery.

“I’m comfortable with the players, the scheme, all that stuff,” Garoppolo said. “I’m familiar with it. Not saying I knew this was going to happen, but I was ready in case it did happen. Just wanted to take advantage of the opportunity.”

Garoppolo conceded he didn’t think he was coming back to the 49ers. The 49ers didn’t think they had a chance to get him back with Lance entrenched as the starter. Only when both sides came to the same conclusion that one more year would be beneficial was there a deal in place on Aug. 29.

Shanahan wasn’t thinking back to that day when Garoppolo entered the game, only that he had a quarterback he trusted to take over when Lance’s season came to a sudden end.

“I think we’ve lost our starting quarterback four times in six years, so we have been in this situation before,” Shanahan said. “I think we’re a little bit more prepared with our backup right now.”

As of Sunday, Garoppolo was no longer the backup for a 22-year-old phenom. He’s the guy who is 36-16 as a starter with the 49ers, including the postseason.

It was as if he never left. Garoppolo started out hot, completing his first four passes for 70 yards, including a 38-yard scoring pass to tight end Ross Dwelley. They were up 20-0 at halftime. He was only 9-of-17 for 84 yards after the initial streak and made a few off-target throws. It’s never perfect with Garoppolo, who counts only one statistic that truly matters.

“I’m not a big ‘me’ guy,” Garoppolo said. “It’s about winning football games. I’m a big believer in that. People can say what they want, talk stats, whatever. But when you win games, that’s what we’re here to do. And that’s all I’m trying to do.”

The 49ers can forget about the Lance package with its downfield strikes and big-play potential. With 45 rushes and 24 pass plays, they’re back to the formula that got them a wild card berth and two playoff wins last season before falling in the NFC title game.

Jeff Wilson Jr., stepping in for Elijah Mitchell, had 84 yards on 18 carries. Samuel had 53 on four attempts, including a 51-yard burst. Rookie Ty Davis-Price had 33 yards on 14 carries. In all, the 49ers rushed for 189 yards and kept the ball for 38:20 to Seattle’s 21:40.

Garoppolo’s job is to keep the cruise ship from hitting an iceberg, steady as she goes. Nothing sudden or explosive about it unless the ball winds up in the hands of Deebo Samuel. He finished 13-of-21 for 151 yards and no turnovers and even finished off the scoring with a 1-yard sneak — a bit of a gamble for a team that just lost one quarterback.

“It wasn’t my call, man,” Garoppolo cracked. “I just run the plays. I mean, it worked out. Sometimes you just have to do what it takes to win.”

The locker room was a somber place for a winning team. Teammates genuinely like Lance and felt bad for him, Garoppolo included. But the 49ers know full well Shanahan can call an offense and run a game in which Garoppolo can deliver a win.

As much as they like Brock Purdy, the seventh-round pick who will now be the backup, Garoppolo provides a comfort level that comes with experience.

“It definitely turns out to be a smart move for us, the fact that we have a quarterback that has done so much for this organization and has all the experience that he has,” defensive end Nick Bosa said. “The fact that we get him back is very big for our team. I’m excited for him, but obviously we’re hurting for Trey.”

Right tackle Mike McGlinchey was grateful to still have Garoppolo around.

“He did a great job today and proves who he is and why he’s helped us win games the last five years,” McGlinchey said. “Thank God he’s here, because otherwise we’d be in a troubled spot.”

To be fair, there is no mistaking Seattle for the Russell Wilson-led unit that beat the 49ers 17 times in the last 21 games. Still, as bad as the Seahawks are, they’re probably on par with the Chicago Bears team that beat the 49ers 19-10 in Week 1.

By the terms of incentives in his contract, Garoppolo, should he play the rest of the season, stands to make close to $16 million and was told he pocketed $350,000 on Sunday.

“Now that you said it, it feels good,” Garoppolo said. “I don’t know, you’re not thinking about that stuff out there. You’re in the game, you’re in the flow, trying to get guys ready.”

Both Garoppolo and the 49ers’ season were wiped out in 2018 when he suffered a torn ACL in Kansas City. He knows how Lance feels.

“I’ve been in Trey’s shoes,” Garoppolo said. “It sucks going through that. But he’ll come back better from it. If you do that, it will set you up for success in the future. That’s what I’m doing.”

Because Garoppolo approached a difficult situation the way he did, and because the 49ers remained patient, a championship dream that could have been decimated remains alive.