There has been plenty of speculation surrounding 49ers’ quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo throughout the season. While it is still widely believed he has played his last game in San Francisco, the first order of business for him is to undergo surgery on his injured thumb, reports NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter). 
[Related: 49ers Plan To Trade Jimmy Garoppolo In Offseason]
Rapoport says the surgery is expected to take place “as soon as it can be scheduled”. Garoppolo was able to play through the ailment for the latter part of the season and into the playoffs, but not without feeling pain in his throwing hand after every pass attempt. While the injury was originally thought to be a sprain, it was revealed in December that he suffered a torn ligament in his right thumb.
The 30-year-old missed two games in 2021 – adding to his already notable total of absences, though certainly not to the same extent as previous years. He totalled 3,810 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. His completion percentage (68.3%) and yards per attempt (8.6) were both right on par with his carer averages. Between that, and the Niners’ run to the NFC title game, Garoppolo has made the most out of what could have been a disastrous ‘lame-duck’ campaign.
There will be quite the market for Garoppolo in the event that, as expected, San Francisco decides to move on from him. A number of teams already have QB vacancies, not to mention those like the Raiders and Vikings, whose signal callers find themselves in the same position as Garoppolo in that they have one year remaining on their contracts. A trade would, of course, represent the team handing the reins over to 2021 No. 3 pick Trey Lance, something they seemed destined to do considering the draft capital given up to acquire him.
Won’t it be difficult to trade him considering he’ll make $25 mill? I feel like they’ll just cut him since his contract is not guaranteed. Comments?
Still would like to see him in Pittsburgh before a number of other options but you’re right. At that price, it wouldn’t happen here
He could restructure or sign extension to reduce the cap #…on the open market he’s going to command around $20M per season anyway
NEVER
I think they can get a 4-5 round pick for him. I’ve heard a 2 rounder mentioned by people who know far more than me on TV, but seriously who in their right mind would give a 2 for him that had actually watched him play?
A team built to win now handing the reigns to hot garbage. Might as well start looking for a new GM and Coach too
I’m not sure why anyone thinks it is a given that Garoppolo won’t be on the 49ers next year. Lance didn’t exactly demonstrate that he’s something special in his two opportunities.
Well you’re right but they weren’t planning on him to start. Kyle has been pretty clear that trey is the future and what better time to start than now
next year? the year after? they’ve got four more years of him, it doesn’t have to be 2022.
How long can they stash him on the bench they blew three #1 picks for him by the time jimmys ready to give it up they’ll have to pay him out the as$. Isn’t part of the advantage directly correlated to time and finances
The franchise did it before with Kaepernick, albeit mid season. They got to a SB.
By all accounts, Lance is a better prospect than K., and Jimmy G., frankly is no better or worse than Alex Smith.
It’s also about cap space and having the ability to extend Deebo and Bosa. You can’t do that without a QB on a rookie contract.
If Lance is not the starting QB going into training camp..John Lynch must be fired. The franchise gave up way too much for Jimmy G to still be hanging around. This statement has zero to do with who is better..just simple economics.
Yup, you don’t give up that much to reach for a guy that needs to sit out a redshirt year or two. Huge bust in the making.
Seems like there is an unusually high number of proven (even star) QB’s available.
At some point, it becomes musical chairs.
Not hard to imagine the injury, inconsistency, the fact that his team keeps insisting on giving up on him could drive his price down.
Then again, I wonder if there will be a lot less movement than expected and most of these teams find a way to keep their current guys (Rodgers, Wilson, Carr).
He ended his career in SF in perfect fashion. Every game he would have several throws where he looked like a good QB and several throws that made him look like someone who shouldn’t be on a football field.
It would be quite fitting if he landed in Tampa since he was originally slated to be Brady’s heir-apparent anyway.
I’ve heard people (with some evidence) suggesting Arians is about to retire.
He should be a legend and call a press conference that everyone would assume would be to announce said retirement.
THEN he should instead announce that he has just traded a Matt Stafford like haul for Garapolo.
After the horror sinks in, he should explain that he’s just kidding but that he Bucs have signed a new starting QB and bring his buddy Ben Roethlisberger on stage with him (Ben has nothing else to do these days) and announce he has signed Ben to a 3 year $120 million deal.
After the horror sinks in, he should explain that he’s just kidding and THEN retire.
The Bucs will need a QB. With his history of injuries not sure he’ll get 20 Million.