How a Missed Throw by Jimmy Garoppolo in the Super Bowl Changed NFL History

In a crucial moment during Super Bowl LIV, Jimmy Garoppolo narrowly missed connecting with Emmanuel Sanders on a deep throw. The ramifications of this missed opportunity were significant, potentially altering the course of NFL history in several ways.

Had Garoppolo completed the pass to Sanders, the San Francisco 49ers might have emerged victorious in the Super Bowl. This outcome would have had far-reaching effects on the league landscape:

1. Mahomes’ Legacy: Patrick Mahomes, the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback, would have fallen to 0-2 in Super Bowl appearances. This outcome could have led to questions about his ability to win the big game, impacting the narrative surrounding his career.
2. Belichick’s QB Decisions: Bill Belichick, head coach of the New England Patriots, would have appeared even more remarkable for losing two quarterbacks who went on to win Super Bowls—Jimmy Garoppolo and Tom Brady, who won back-to-back championships with different teams.
3. Impact on Draft Picks: The trajectory of the 49ers’ franchise would have been different. Without the need for a quarterback, they might not have traded up to select Trey Lance with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

The trade to acquire Trey Lance from the Miami Dolphins involved significant draft capital. The 49ers parted ways with multiple first-round picks and a third-round pick to secure Lance’s services:

• 49ers received: 2021 first-round pick (No. 3 overall)
• Dolphins received: 2021 first-round pick (No. 12 overall), 2022 first-round pick (No. 29 overall), 2022 third-round pick (No. 101 overall), and 2023 first-round pick (No. 29 overall)

Examining the players selected with the draft picks traded away by the 49ers underscores the impact of the decision:

• Micah Parsons: Selected with the 2021 first-round pick (No. 12 overall) by the Dallas Cowboys.
• Cole Strange: Chosen with the 2022 first-round pick (No. 29 overall) by the New England Patriots.
• Channing Tindall: Drafted with the 2022 third-round pick (No. 101 overall) by the Miami Dolphins.
• Bryan Bresee: Taken with the 2023 first-round pick (No. 29 overall) by the New Orleans Saints.

The ripple effects of Garoppolo’s missed throw in the Super Bowl extend beyond the game itself, shaping the futures of multiple teams and players across the NFL.