Since the Rams held off the No. 6-seeded 49ers to advance to Super Bowl LVI, the NFC’s second-place finisher has not made a secret of its plans with its four-plus-year starting quarterback. Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch have said a Jimmy Garoppolo trade will be the likely conclusion for this relationship.
Now that we are in July, when Garoppolo is expected to be cleared to throw again following his right shoulder surgery in March, more news surrounding this trade saga figures to emerge. Because Garoppolo’s procedure changed his trade market, Baker Mayfield rumors have been far more commonplace than rumblings of a Garoppolo deal. But the 49ers are planning to make an aggressive push here, to the point the team will let the 30-year-old passer discuss his through-2022 contract with other teams ahead of a trade.
The Panthers and Seahawks loom as the most obvious landing spots for the Super Bowl LIV starter, but clear barriers exist blocking those avenues. Although Carolina has been discussing Mayfield with Cleveland for months, the team not believed to be interested in trading for Garoppolo.
The $24.2MM salary has long been a non-starter for the Panthers, who have some degree of doubt about Garoppolo’s injuries and are carrying a fully guaranteed $18.9MM Sam Darnold salary. Garoppolo missed most of 2018 with an ACL tear, was sidelined for much of 2020 with ankle trouble, and battled calf, thumb and shoulder maladies last season. In his lone 49ers season without a notable injury (2019), Garoppolo finished 12th in QBR. The shoulder ailment hijacked a trade market the 49ers hoped would yield a Day 2 pick to one in which NFL insiders expect San Francisco to eventually cut bait rather than risk Garoppolo’s salary becoming guaranteed come Week 1.
Although precedent exists for intra-division QB trades, with the 2010 Donovan McNabb Philadelphia-to-Washington swap being a fairly recent example, it is difficult to envision the 49ers dealing Garoppolo to the Seahawks. Considering Seattle’s issue with Mayfield’s $18.9MM salary, it is also hard to imagine the team signing off on acquiring Garoppolo without a considerable contract adjustment. Still, Garoppolo making it to free agency — especially in a reality in which the Browns and Panthers agree on a Mayfield deal — opens the door to the longtime NFC West arm moving to Seattle. The Drew Lock–Geno Smith battle will continue into training camp, but the Seahawks going with either is a significant risk for a team that enjoyed tremendous QB security for a decade.
Other teams could lurk. The Browns are about to learn Deshaun Watson‘s punishment. If disciplinary officer Sue Robinson hands the embattled passer a lengthy suspension, or the NFL powers through with its desire for a full-season ban on appeal, would Cleveland make a play for Garoppolo? The Browns could adjust Garoppolo’s salary, dangling the carrot of the ninth-year veteran boosting his 2023 free agency prospects by playing behind a strong offensive line with a top-tier backfield. Considering where the Browns-Mayfield relationship stands, a move to acquire another veteran — in the event a Watson suspension long enough shakes the team’s faith in Jacoby Brissett — makes sense.
The Texans have also been connected to Garoppolo, whose Patriots tenure overlapped with Nick Caserio‘s. The second-year Houston GM has not been shy about acquiring middling veterans on short-term deals. But a Garoppolo arrival would affect Davis Mills‘ development. The 49ers waiting for a potential training camp injury changing Garoppolo’s market — similar to Sam Bradford‘s in 2016 — should be on the table as well.
While Shanahan and Lynch view a trade as the goal, both said keeping the passer is in play. Jed York also cited, in a historically extreme example, the 49ers’ former Joe Montana–Steve Young partnership — which ran from 1987-92, just before the salary cap era — as evidence Garoppolo and Trey Lance can play together for a second season.
The 49ers could certainly benefit from Garoppolo sticking around to push Lance. San Francisco stands to be an NFC contender, and Lance injects uncertainty into its signal-caller situation. But the team is eyeing a Deebo Samuel extension and sits 30th in cap space ($4.9MM). Lance struggling in camp and in the preseason could force the 49ers to keep Garoppolo and table extensions for Samuel and Nick Bosa — the latter of which the team appears willing to push to 2023 — but the team is currently preparing to move forward with the 2021 top-three pick.
What will be the Garoppolo 2022 endgame? Vote in PFR’s latest poll and weigh in with your thoughts on this situation in the comments section.
Well if you’re the Browns and Watson gets suspended for a year and you trade Mayfield to Seattle or Carolina which ever one can close that $3M gap that we’ve been talking about for so long and then now you go to San Francisco.. “We want to check out Jimmy’s shoulder we’ll give you a 5th round pick or 6th.” Throw them something because there’s a pretty good chance that if he plays the whole year for you that you get a compensatory pick back. You’re not gong to resign him, you’re renting him for a year. It’s a good rental. It’s a beachfront property rental if he stays healthy and his shoulder’s good.
I imagine for Garappolo, Cleveland is the last place he’d wanna be. He must wanna go where he can establish himself and not have to go through all this again next year.
All what? He’ll be a free agent at the end of the year, hopefully not coming off surgery. Playing for a team like Cleveland who is loaded with talent can increase Jimmy G market next year. Go to Cleveland, make the playoffs, stay healthy and have a good year and Jimmy will won’t have any problems finding a team for 2023. Of course, Watson may not miss much and the Browns roll with Brissett for part of the season
Amen brother! From what I’m reading Watson is out for the year. And we’ve all seen the “Brissett experiment” Jacoby is a good lockeroom guy, leads by example, brings energy and was a talented player coming out of NC State but once the game speeds up for him particularly on third down and defenses adjust to the Browns offense as the season progresses, it’ll become increasingly hard to roll out Jacoby as the starter especially when they have to play in a drop-back pass game. Jimmy has been in this west coast system before knows the calls, checks at the line of scrimmage, great fit!
Backer and AD, I have this thought. After Browns trade BM and assuming a year out for DW, do you guys think the niners would allow JG to negotiate like a 2-3 year deal with Cleveland prior to cutting him. This way JG is not left hanging without a good landing spot. I don’t see SF being able to trade him cuz ofhis large salary and teams not wanting to lose a pick AND this would allow Cleveland and JG more time to prepare (playbook, coach familiarity, etc). I’m sure some teams are paying close attention to his health and progress especially the Browns.
I think if Watson is suspended for a full season, the only way the Browns get Jimmy G is if the 49ers pay some of his salary, much like Cleveland will do with Mayfield. Garapollo can have a good year with Cleveland, prove his health and hope to find a team willing to sign him to start in 2023. If Watson isn’t suspended the whole season, the Browns will roll with Brissett. They have a very easy 1st four games of the season. Panthers, Jets, Steelers and Falcons
But, if niners cut JG they won’t pay ANY of his $. I’m not talking about a sign and trade scenario. I’m talking about a cut and sign.
How much is the cap hit for the 49ers? I’m sure it’s up there or they may have cut him already. I don’t follow the 49ers that closely. I think Jimmy G would want to go to the Browns more than the Panthers. Maybe not more than Seattle though. The rest of the teams in need of a quarterback will probably wait until the draft
After what I’ve seen tweeted by Florio on Friday, I’m not so sure about a year long suspension. Apparently, the NFL didn’t even come close to proving their case.
You Browns fans are delusional. Even Jimmy G won’t want to join that team with that ownership train wreck when he could just threaten to hold out. SF is letting him negotiate contracts with other, more desirable and supportive teams.
How’s that working out for him? Garapollo came from the Patriots where they spy on opponents, deflate footballs and 80 year old owner partakes in sex trafficking. If you think people don’t want to play for the Browns because of that, you’re crazy. Watson won’t be suspended for the whole year so this means nothing. The Browns won’t need Jimmy. He can be a backup somewhere
The Browns are a dysfunctional mess led by an owner that mortgaged the future of the franchise on a sexual deviant (who you apparently worship). You can bet your homer rear end there are people who want nothing to do with them. And if you don’t think Garappolo would have doubts about jumping into that mess, you really are as lost as you appear to be.
How did we go from discussing Jimmy Garappolo potential future to debating Brown owner’s morality?
The article mentions the option of him going to the Browns.
Yes an article focused around a player, not owner or how he chooses to spend him time.
Belichick appears to be on a campaign to recycle everything that is broken or useless so maybe Jimmy G finds himself back in New England.
Did you forget about Mac Jones?
The jury is still out on whether Jones can be a long term solution and Hoyer’s career is in it’s twilight, so there may be a spot on that depth chart for Jimmy.
Mac Jones had very very similar stats as Garappollo. Seems they’d lean away from a Garappollo return.
Jury is still out on Jones? He was a rookie last year and his team made the playoffs. You have to be foolish to think the Patriots would give up on Jones.
Trubisky took the Bears to the playoffs with a better passer rating than Jones but it became clear he wasn’t going to be the long term solution. Jones will have to continue to improve to lock down the starter job.
Are you insane? Jones already has the starter job locked down. Will he keep it for 15 years? Who knows. He was the best rookie quarterback by far last season. There is zero chance that the Patriots are looking for different options for their starting quarterback this season. I don’t know if you just hate the Patriots or Alabama or what
I don’t hate the Patriots or Alabama but I know Belichick hasn’t lasted in the league as long as he has by ignoring opportunities to upgrade. Bill has a low tolerance for players who don’t show improvement and meet his expectations and he’s certainly expecting more from Jones.
He was the best rookie quarterback last year. He got his team to the playoffs. You have to be the only person that thinks the Patriots are looking for a new quarterback already, especially Jimmy G. I mean if Brady wanted to come back, I definitely understand that
He’s also realistic. Jones will absolutely be a starter this season and won’t be replaced unless he completely falls off.
The Patriots are probably confident that Jones can continue to learn and improve but you always have to have a contingency plan ready in case injuries or other factors interfere with that happening.
Contingency plan doesn’t mean a 24 million dollar backup
I heard Jimmy is willing to restructure once moved.
Who needs a starter right now? The teams that do seem to be content to tank for Stroud. Seattle is the only one that may be a Garapollo acquisition away from being 500 but SF isn’t trading him there.
I was gonna say gets released and is injured all year and doesn’t sign with anyone
He winds up with the Giants after the 9ers cut him
Baker for Grap straight up. Slight difference favoring Grap for salary but nothing that should hamper a deal.
Niners are too heavily invested in Trey Lance.
I get that. But they need a backup QB. If Baker could accept that role, be quiet, and a good teammate; he would set himself up for FA next year. Same for Grap. Finish his contract in Cleveland then be a FA.
He’s seems to be beat up from the various injuries throughout his stay in San Fran. I’m thinking the league is fully aware of this so a risky investment? GMs will want him on the cheap. Because of this, the 49ers will not be able to move him, so he stays there?
No chance Shanahan is attempting to trade him as we speak and needs him off the books to pay Deebo.
@AD_thegoat. Thanks for the get back. Yes. It’s clear Shanahan and Lynch are trying to move him. Pretty clear that Cleveland wants Mayfield out as well. Mayfield is 3.5 years younger with less of an injury history. Advantage Cleveland? And I don’t see a Baker for Grop deal. Cleveland made “it’s bed”?. IE Brissett (sp) until Watson is available?
Browns have 42 million in cap space. They can afford a new bed. Heck, they can afford the whole bedroom set
Yes indeed, they do have quite the cap space. So I guess they could go after more QB help? And, no offense Brownsbacker9, but it is the Browns we’re talking about here, so …..
There’s not much quarterback help out there. Brissett will be a better quarterback with a better supporting cast. Miami had no line and no backs. Cleveland has both. I don’t know if that’s enough to get to the playoffs but to think the Browns will win 3 or 4 games is ridiculous
But AD, Deebos issue is an extension beginning after tbis season. Garappollo’s salary THIS YEAR has no impact on the Deebo extension.
Not sure where you’re reading “Deebo 2023-24 possible extension” but even if you’re right you still have to create cap for Nick Bosa. Wouldn’t getting Jimmy G off your books help? AJ Brown got a fresh new deal. I’m positive him and his agent think he deserves a new one too.
But AD, Brown signed an extension. His existing salary for this season hasn’t changed. Google it. You used quotation marks as if I said what’s in quotes. I didn’t. Deebo is signed for $4mil+ for this season. And if niners want to keep him beyond this season they will agree to an extension….hopefully. Extensions for Deebo, and Bosa, do not rely on Garappollo money. Before the season starts all this talk will be moot. JG will be gone and off the books. Deebo and Bosa will be playing with extensions signed. Not because of JG money but because niners like to wait. And hopefully Garappollo money can be spent on additional free agents (O line, linebacker, DBs)
They may have to take on some of his salary. Same as with Mayfield. Most teams are set at quarterback and those who aren’t, don’t care about winning this year. They’re tanking for Stroud
The guy hasn’t shown he can even throw a football after his surgery, thus any talk about potential trade partners is just a waste of time.