Johnny Manziel calls 49ers' Kyle Shanahan ‘one of the best in the business'

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Jimmy Garoppolo's first game action since suffering a torn ACL in Week 3 of last season could have gone better in the 49ers' 24-15 preseason win over the Broncos on Monday night. A lot better.

In three series, Garoppolo completed just one of six passes for zero yards, equaling the same number of completions he made to the other team, as he was intercepted on San Francisco's first drive of the game. Now, granted, it was his first live game action in 11 months, and the 49ers' offensive line didn't exactly do him many favors.

Still, it wasn't an encouraging performance, leaving plenty of room for doubt as to whether or not Garoppolo is capable of recreating the magic from his first five starts in a San Francisco uniform. And, if he can't, there might come a time when the 49ers are forced to move on.

There's a long way to go between now and then, and it's usually unwise to take too much away from a preseason game. But, if the 49ers are ever forced to find another quarterback, there's at least one interesting name that would love to be reunited with head coach Kyle Shanahan.

In a recent AMA, former first-round pick and Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel was asked which NFL coach he would play for if he had his pick, and he spoke very highly of his former offensive coordinator with the Browns.

"Enjoyed my time with Kyle Shanahan," Manziel responded. "I really did. Think he's one of the best in the business."

[RELATED: Jimmy G struggles mightily during 49ers preseason debut]

Manziel hasn't played in the NFL since 2015, having most recently played for the Memphis Express of the AAF. The chances he ever plays for the 49ers are less than minuscule, but for as long as Garoppolo struggles, there will be no shortage of uncertainty surrounding San Francisco's quarterback position.

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