This will be the second year in a row the 49ers plan for life without Jimmy Garoppolo, but just because they don’t want him doesn’t mean he won’t have suitors.
Garoppolo is set to become a free agent this offseason after five-plus years in San Francisco. The Niners tried to trade him last year, but couldn’t find a taker as he rehabbed his surgically-repaired shoulder. They ultimately needed him with Trey Lance getting injured in Week 2, but with Brock Purdy later proving he can hack it in the NFL, there’s effectively no chance Garoppolo re-signs.
But there are a handful of teams expected to be in the market for a quarterback, and there is a relative dearth of quality options. If Aaron Rodgers decides he wants out of Green Bay, he’ll be the top option on the market. Derek Carr comes after him, and then it’s Garoppolo and Geno Smith as the other starting-caliber options.
NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo said Sunday he’s expecting widespread interest in Garoppolo.
“I expect significant interest in Jimmy Garoppolo across the free agent market," Garafolo said. "Look, between the Patriots connections and the San Francisco connections -- that 49ers tree has grown throughout the league -- we’re talking about the Jets, the Texans, the Titans, the Raiders. Even teams that don’t have a connection to either one of those teams, the Buccaneers, there will be interest there as well.
“He’s not a primadonna, he’s one of the guys, he’s been known to work out with the linebackers. Players appreciate that, coaches appreciate that. I think Jimmy Garoppolo is going to have a good market.”
The “he’s not a primadonna” line is in interesting contrast to the narratives around Garoppolo last offseason, when stories were flying around about how difficult he can be to track down.
In any event, Garoppolo offers experience and will come at a lower cost than Rodgers or Carr. That should get him plenty of attention in free agency.
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