Ever since their loss in the NFC Championship Game, Jimmy Garoppolo and the San Francisco 49ers have been preparing for a divorce.
However, there may be a wrinkle in that plan. ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported on Wednesday that it’s “not a lock” Garoppolo will be traded.
“Maybe they do trade (Garoppolo), I’m not telling you you’re wrong. It still is absolutely on the table that he could be moved. I think he believes he’s going to be moved. I’m just giving you the other side. I don’t think it’s a lock that he’s going to be traded. He very well might, but it’s not a lock.”
Garoppolo has a $26.95 million cap hit for the 2022 season. The 49ers can save roughly $24.5 million by trading him. The team needs to create cap room to both extend the likes of Deebo Samuel and Nick Bosa while adding outside talent via free agency in order to compete as they did in 2021.
Schefter also points to a scenario in which the 49ers are offered a similar return for Garoppolo as the New York Jets got for Sam Darnold last offseason.
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“OK, so let’s say they get a two, four, and a six (not necessarily all in this year’s draft),” Schefter said. “Now, you’re San Francisco. Now you can say, ‘Jimmy Garoppolo is unquestionably one of the most popular and respected players in our locker room. Players love playing with him. We have him under contract this year at a very friendly $25 million cap number. And if we play with him this year, and we lose him after this year, we’re going to get a third-round comp pick back in return.’
“So, are you better, then, playing the season with Jimmy while getting Trey the training that he still needs? Or are you better trading him for—let’s just call it a two, four, and a six? What’s the better alternative?”
Over 15 regular-season starts, Jimmy G completed 68.3 percent of his passes for 3,810 yards, 20 touchdowns against 12 interceptions.
