49ers Rumors: Jimmy Garoppolo's 1st Start Targeted for Week 12 vs. Seahawks

The San Francisco 49ers are reportedly eyeing Week 12 against the Seattle Seahawks for Jimmy Garoppolo's first start with the team, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Garoppolo, who was acquired from the New England Patriots in exchange for a second-round pick before the trade deadline, has served as C.J. Beathard's backup since joining the Niners. But with a bye next week, Garoppolo would have more time to learn the offense before potentially serving as the starter for the team's final six games.

That bye will allow the Niners to take an extended look at Garoppolo before they decide this offseason if they want to sign him to an extension or let him go elsewhere in free agency. If it's the latter, they may seek a quarterback in the draft. But barring a run of dreadful play by the 26-year-old, the former seems more likely.

Garoppolo played well in limited opportunities as Tom Brady's backup in New England, throwing for 690 yards and five touchdowns with zero interceptions while completing 67 percent of his passes in 17 appearances, including two starts.

He's almost assuredly an upgrade over Beathard and Brian Hoyer. Hoyer threw for 1,245 yards and four touchdowns with four interceptions in six games as the team's starter this season, completing 58 percent of his passes. Beathard, a rookie third-round pick, has struggled even more, throwing for 941 yards and two scores with four picks while completing just 50.9 percent of his throws.

The two have combined to lead San Francisco to an 0-9 record.

The 49ers, however, have always maintained they would be patient in bringing Garoppolo along.

"I can't promise you guys that he'll play this year," head coach Kyle Shanahan said of Garoppolo on Nov. 1, per Nick Shook of NFL.com. "I know that we have a guy that we're excited about and I know has the ability to help us and help this team in the future. That's what I mean by, 'Well, we didn't do this just to save this year.'

"We did this because we feel this will improve our team and our organization."

Despite those comments, it appears the Garoppolo era will begin sooner rather than later.