Less than three weeks before the regular season starts, there is a possible Jimmy G. problem in San Francisco.

Jimmy Garoppolo – the San Francisco 49ers’ high-paid quarterback and supposed franchise savior – was awful Monday night in his first game action since tearing his ACL last September. Garoppolo completed just 1-6 of pass attempts and 0.0 passer’s rating in a short appearance in an eventual 24-15 49ers’ victory at Denver.

This goose-egg performance comes off the heels of a practice last week in which Garoppolo threw five straight interceptions.

Jimmy Garoppolo Odds

These events clearly have 49ers fans and those who are looking to bet on them in a bit of a tizzy. Much is expected from San Francisco and Tom Brady’s former caddie.

At 888Sport, Garoppolo is the co-favorite with New York Jets running back Le’Veon Bell to win the NFC Comeback Player of the Year award at +400. Garoppolo is +5000 to win the NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award and he is just +4000 to win the NFL MVP.

888Sport also has several Garoppolo prop bets for the Jimmy G. believers and non-believers:

• Over/Under 4000.5 yards passing
• Over/Under 25.5 Passing Touchdowns

Garoppolo’s return to his has also affect the 49ers’ future odds. They are +4000 to win the Super Bowl and just +1400 to win the NFC championship. San Francisco was 1-1 when Garoppolo was injured at Kansas City in Week 3. The 49ers finished 4-12.

There was a lot of expectations for the 49ers last season because the 49ers went undefeated with Garoppolo starting the final five games of the 2017 season. The 49ers traded for him in a deal with New England at the late October trade deadline.

After the Garoppolo injury, those high San Francisco expectations were pushed back to this year. All seemed on track during the spring when the 49ers said they were happy with Garoppolo’s progress.

But now with the poor performances in camp and at Denver, there seems to be some tempered expectations.

COMPARE ODDS: Check out all the NFL futures and Jimmy G. odds

Jimmy G. Betting Outlook

It’s a tough call. I am not one to put much stock in the preseason, whether it’s based on positive or negative performances. In Week I – the 49ers are a 1-point underdog at Tampa Bay – it won’t matter what happened in the preseason.

Also, the training camp interceptions is not overly alarming, either. Remember last year when Patrick Mahomes was throwing daily picks at the Kansas City Chiefs training camp? Of course, you don’t. But you do remember his 50 touchdowns passes and his NFL MVP award in his first full NFL season.

Still, there are some worrisome aspects about Garoppolo’s struggles. It was clear Monday night that he wasn’t stepping up comfortably and confidently before throwing. He is still working through his injury. That is normal for quarterbacks coming back from this type of complicated injury as noted here:

So, it may take Garoppolo a while to get back to form. How long is the question. That said, quarterbacks return and are productive after tearing their ACLs all the time. Also, Garoppolo has performed well before his injury. He is just 27.

So, there are a lot of reasons to still believe in him and to still believe in the 49ers this season.

I’d avoid the Comeback Player of the Year and MVP bets, but it is not time to completely jump ofF the Jimmy G and San Francisco betting train because of what we saw in a brief appearance in Denver.