With the dust settled on the San Francisco 49ers’ 2017 season, we decide which players on the team’s improving roster are worthy of recognition.
Though the NFL’s postseason and the race for the Super Bowl is still rumbling on, the dust has long since settled on a very positive San Francisco 49ers campaign. Following the trade for Jimmy Garoppolo, the Niners were transformed from a bottom-feeding team to one capable of knocking off playoff contenders.
So who is deserving of recognition for an ultimately impressive 6-10 season? Here we make that decision by handing out some end-of-season awards.
MVP and Offensive Player of the Year: Jimmy Garoppolo
He may have only made five starts, but Garoppolo’s performances for the 49ers following his trade from the New England Patriots could hardly have been any more impressive. Garoppolo turned a one-win 49ers team whose only previous victory of the season had come against a terrible New York Giants team to one that looked capable of contending in the playoffs.
Leading the Niners to five successive wins, Garoppolo threw with accuracy and anticipation and demonstrated magnificent poise under pressure, consistently completing passes with rushers in his face and orchestrating two game-winning drives. Despite playing just over a quarter of the 49ers’ games, Garoppolo has already established himself as the most valuable player on the team and one who can substantially improve the performances of those around him.
A monster contract extension awaits and the challenge for Garoppolo as he becomes even more immersed in the Shanahan offense will be to take the 49ers back to the postseason in 2018.