Jimmy Garoppolo

QB Rumors: 49ers, Wilson, Winston, Texans

February 24th, 2022 at 7:35pm CST by Sam Robinson

Of the starting quarterbacks mentioned in trade rumors, Jimmy Garoppolo looms as the likeliest candidate to move. The five-year 49ers starter saying as much and having talked to his general manager about a potential destination is a fairly clear indicator of a move. However, Garoppolo being dealt is not a certainty. Trey Lance has a long way to go in his climb toward being a reliable starter, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com said during an interview with Pro Football Focus’ Ari Meirov (via SI.com). The 21-year-old Division I-FCS alum was “further away than people realized” this past season, Schefter adds, noting Garoppolo remains well-liked in San Francisco’s locker room. While it would be a surprise if the 49ers kept Garoppolo, the prospect of him playing out his contract and keeping Lance in developmental mode in 2022 did surface last summer.

The statuses of Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson and Kirk Cousins may put the 49ers in a good spot regarding a Garoppolo trade offer, however. The QB trade market drying up would lead to more Garoppolo interest; as of now, the 49ers are seeking a Day 2 pick and change in a trade. They would need to weigh offers, Lance’s readiness and the prospect of a third-round 2024 compensatory pick — for Garoppolo’s 2023 free agency exit — in this equation.

Here is the latest from the quarterback rumor circuit:

Wilson has said he wants to stay with the Seahawks, but coming out of a disappointing season, the veteran quarterback has also been connected to exploring his options to see if another team could give him opportunities his current one cannot. For the time being, owner Jody Allen is behind keeping Wilson, Albert Breer of SI.com notes. It is unclear how much Allen supports ensuring the perennial Pro Bowler stays in Washington, and given Wilson’s value at age 33 and with two years left on his contract, Breer does expect a trade to eventually happen. After Rodgers makes his intentions known, this will be the top QB situation to monitor.
The Saints used four starting quarterbacks last season and have their preferred 2021 starter on track for free agency. Jameis Winston is coming off an ACL tear and might again need a prove-it season. Many around the league expect the Saints to again provide that opportunity, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com writes. New Orleans is once again in its own league for cap purposes, being more than $75MM over the projected 2022 cap. Winston coming back on a low salary would help the Saints, even if the seven-year veteran would represent another stopgap year post-Drew Brees.
The Texans are behind Davis Mills as their starter, but they are interested in keeping Tyrod Taylor around. Taylor impressed Houston’s coaching staff during his first Texans season, Fowler adds. Taylor signed a one-year, $5.5MM deal to work as a starter during Deshaun Watson‘s time away from the team. Mills supplanted Taylor, continuing a familiar routine for the ex-Bills starter, but it sounds like his relationship with new OC Pep Hamilton — Taylor’s position coach with the Chargers in 2020 — is solid enough it could well lead to another year of QB2 work in Houston.

49ers Seeking Day 2 Pick In Jimmy Garoppolo Trade?

February 17th, 2022 at 8:17pm CST by Sam Robinson

Of the starter-caliber quarterbacks linked to trades, Jimmy Garoppolo has the clearest path to being moved. Garoppolo and John Lynch have discussed a trade, and the passer would prefer to be dealt to a team with a shot at near-future contention.

The 49ers acquired Garoppolo for a second-round pick, and Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com offers the team is aiming for a Day 2 choice and an additional asset in a deal for its four-plus-year starter. The team would not necessarily need the Day 2 choice to be in this year’s draft, per Wagoner. The Jets’ haul for Sam Darnold comes to mind, with the Panthers sending over their 2022 second-rounder in last year’s swap that also included fourth- and sixth-round choices.

The quarterback market not producing fireworks would stand to help the 49ers, who could drive a harder bargain if Garoppolo turns out to be the top QB available or one of the top two — in the event Deshaun Watson is finally moved. This might not end up being the case, with several passers mentioned as trade candidates, but the likes of Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson staying put would increase Garoppolo’s value.

While Garoppolo’s contract contained a no-trade clause, it expired after the 2021 trade deadline. The 49ers are free to send Garoppolo anywhere they choose, though it sounds like the team is willing to work with him. Teams like the Steelers, Commanders, Buccaneers, Broncos and Panthers could be in play as well. Carolina and Washington make the most sense as suitors, per ESPN’s Dan Graziano. Neither figures to be in play for Rodgers or Wilson. If those two are not available, and the Vikings hold firm on keeping Kirk Cousins, the Broncos would probably be more likely to entertain a Garoppolo swap.

Quarterbacks who have fetched a second-day draft choice in recent years include Darnold, Josh Rosen, Teddy Bridgewater (his Jets-to-Saints 2018 deal) and, of course, Garoppolo, whom the 49ers acquired for a second-rounder at the 2017 deadline. The 49ers may use the Chiefs’ 2018 Alex Smith trade as a comp, given the similar situations. The Chiefs were ready to hand the keys to Patrick Mahomes, and Smith signed an extension with Washington after being dealt for a third-rounder and Kendall Fuller.

Garoppolo’s injuries will limit San Francisco’s trade return to a degree, but he did take the 49ers to two NFC championship games after seasons in which he ranked in the top 15 in QBR (13th in both 2019 and 2021). While the ex-Patriots draftee has seen his play frequently maligned, he will have value as a trade chip. Garoppolo’s contract includes a $24.2MM salary in 2022, presumably prompting the team that acquires him to authorize another extension. The extension the 30-year-old QB signed in 2018 runs through 2022.

Poll: Who Will Acquire Jimmy Garoppolo?

February 3rd, 2022 at 10:07pm CST by Sam Robinson

Jimmy Garoppolo‘s end-of-season comments point to a departure from the 49ers, who have Trey Lance readying to start in 2022. San Francisco’s four-plus-season starter indicated a trade could happen soon. Regardless of the statuses of Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson, Garoppolo looms as an upgrade option for certain teams.

Possible blockbusters involving Rodgers and Wilson, along with what happens with Deshaun Watson, complicate matters on this year’s quarterback market. So will an underwhelming rookie crop. Will AFC teams eyeing Rodgers or Wilson be willing to make an early move for Garoppolo, or will they end up waiting out the higher-profile (and more expensive) options?

Garoppolo, 30, has battled several injuries since becoming a starter, but the 49ers going 2-for-2 in NFC championship berths during seasons in which their QB1 was largely available probably cannot be ignored. Garoppolo holds a no-trade clause and is seeking a team prepared to compete, further complicating matters.

In the NFC, Washington has continued to strike out on long-term QB acquisitions and did not make such a move last year. Washington did try, via a Matthew Stafford offer, prior to signing Ryan Fitzpatrick. The Commanders have Taylor Heinicke signed for 2022 — at just a $2.9MM cap hit — but will almost certainly acquire a veteran or use a first-round pick on a quarterback. The Commanders are also set to carry more than $31MM in cap space, putting them among the league’s top 10. Garoppolo’s through-2022 contract calls for a $24.2MM base salary next season, though his ’22 cap hit could be lowered via an extension agreement.

The Panthers saw their QB situation deteriorate to the point Matt Rhule‘s job was in jeopardy, and Sam Darnold is on Carolina’s books at a fully guaranteed $18.9MM in 2022. Carolina could also loom for Watson. The embattled Texans quarterback is not believed to have waived his no-trade clause for the Panthers, but they were prepared to make a strong offer prior to the Pro Bowler’s off-field trouble surfacing. If the Dolphins are truly off the Watson market, the Panthers would seemingly re-emerge as perhaps his top suitor.

Tom Brady‘s retirement puts the Buccaneers in play, and early odds place Tampa Bay as one of the most likely teams to acquire Garoppolo. The 49ers quarterback, who is coming off a season in which he ranked 13th in QBR, following his former Patriots teammate would certainly make for an interesting scenario. A Garoppolo extension would be necessary for the Bucs, who have nearly half their starting lineup set for free agency. Even without that contingent on the payroll, the Bucs are projected to be barely $5MM under the cap.

Having not solidified a Drew Brees successor yet, the Saints can be also considered a candidate. Their cap situation, per usual, is not in good shape. New Orleans is entering a second straight offseason more than $75MM over the cap. The team made this work last year but did not have a franchise-QB salary factoring into the equation, with Jameis Winston signing for backup-level dough.

The Steelers should also be considered the mix as a Garoppolo suitor. Although Pittsburgh extended Mason Rudolph, it is difficult to view the former third-round pick as a viable Ben Roethlisberger successor. Still, the early offseason word pointed to the Steelers avoiding the veteran-QB market. But a veteran would make sense given the makeup of an experienced Steelers defense. The Steelers are also armed with far more cap space than they had in 2021, being set to hold more than $30MM.

The Broncos are probably the most interesting team here, given their connection to Rodgers. A late-season amendment on potential Wilson destinations also included Denver. The team that has needed a quarterback for six years could attempt to pry Kirk Cousins away from the Vikings, considering GM George Paton‘s previous run as Minnesota’s assistant GM. Garoppolo, however, has experience in the type of offense Nathaniel Hackett is set to install. Any Denver Garoppolo offer would surely be withheld until it is known Rodgers is off the table.

As of now, the Browns are prepared to keep Baker Mayfield for his fifth-year option season. Are there any other sleeper teams to monitor here? Vote in PFR’s latest poll and weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section.

Latest On 49ers, Jimmy Garoppolo

February 1st, 2022 at 10:03pm CST by Sam Robinson

Jimmy Garoppolo pushed his presumptive lame-duck year to a conference championship game and, after playing hurt in the season’s final weeks, will soon undergo thumb surgery. While it is not certain the 49ers deal their four-plus-year starter soon, that is Garoppolo’s expectation.

The 30-year-old passer spoke with GM John Lynch on Monday regarding his potential departure, wanting, understandably, to end up in a winning situation. This is relevant considering Garoppolo’s contract contains a no-trade clause, which allows the veteran QB to approve his destination. However, the clause expires at the start of the 2022 league year March 16.

“I was talking to John yesterday about finding the right destination and whatever the future holds, just doing it the right way,” Garoppolo said, via ESPN.com’s Nick Wagoner. “I’ve got a long career ahead of me. I’m excited about it. I’m excited about the opportunities to come. I just want to go to a place where they want to win. That’s really what I’m in this game for.”

Garoppolo’s contract calls for a $24.2MM base salary in its final year, 2022. The 49ers can move the contract easily; they’d be tagged with just $1.4MM in dead money in a deal. The 49ers would save more $25.6MM by trading their starter, tying them to Trey Lance‘s rookie contract for the foreseeable future. CEO Jed York previously floated the idea of Garoppolo sticking around in 2022, but signs currently point to a trade.

Any team that trades for Garoppolo would likely complete an extension, and suitors figure to emerge. The upcoming quarterback market potentially including Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson would stand to complicate matters on the AFC side, with the long-QB-needy Broncos having been connected to the former for nearly a year. Wilson has also been linked to a Denver destination, and his Seattle future remains murky. Garoppolo qualifies as a cheaper backup plan, in the event Rodgers or Wilson are unattainable.

Other teams could beat the Broncos to the punch while they wait on the bigger names, however. The Steelers also loom as a winning team in need at quarterback, but they have also been mentioned as being likelier to steer clear of a veteran acquisition. The Browns could be in the mix as well, but a fifth Baker Mayfield season looms. The NFC side could feature more interested parties, with Carolina, New Orleans, Washington and now Tampa Bay residing as prospective suitors.

“As far as the whole trade situation, John has been very clear with it,” Garoppolo said. “I think they’re trying to do the best for me; I’m trying to do the best for them and we’re working together. We haven’t really made too much progress on it, but I think things will start happening here pretty quickly.”

Jimmy Garoppolo To Have Surgery

February 1st, 2022 at 1:41pm CST by Adam La Rose

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).

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.

Latest On 49ers’ Jimmy Garoppolo

January 2nd, 2022 at 7:48am CST by Zachary Links

Jan. 2: Lance will indeed get the second start of his career, as Garoppolo will miss the Niners’ Week 17 contest against the Texans and will require offseason surgery on his injured thumb, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. That does not preclude Garoppolo from suiting up for the club’s Week 18 bout with the Rams, though if San Francisco should qualify for the playoffs today — which will happen if it defeats Houston and New Orleans loses to Carolina — Lance would presumably start the regular season finale as well.

The surgery should not have much of an impact on Garoppolo’s trade market this offseason, but his sustaining an injury at a critical juncture underscores why the 49ers made the bold move to acquire Lance in the first place and why they plan to trade Garoppolo in the coming months.

Dec. 31: The 49ers have listed Jimmy Garoppolo as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Texans, as Matt Barrows of The Athletic tweets. But, for what it’s worth, head coach Kyle Shanahan says he’s still “holding out hope” for Garoppolo being able to start.

Garoppolo is dealing with a Grade 3 sprain, rather than a fracture, according to Shanahan. That at least gives the quarterback some chance of suiting up as the Niners push for a postseason berth.

“I’ve been told he does not need surgery right now,” said Shanahan (Twitter link via Cam Inman of the East Bay Times). “To clear that up, (sprain) is way it was worded to me, he has a Grade III sprain. Reason they never mentioned to me a fracture it doesn’t have much to do with the sprain; it pulled off a fleck of the bone.”

Garoppolo suffered the injury during the second quarter of Thursday’s game, a 20-17 loss to the Titans. If he can’t go this week, rookie Trey Lance will be in line for his start No. 2, his first since Week 5.

So far this year, Garoppolo gone 8-6 in 14 starts, completing 68% of his throws for 3,494 yards and 19 touchdowns against ten interceptions. Lance, meanwhile, went 15-of-29 for 192 yards and one INT in his start, a low-scoring loss to the Cardinals.

The Niners control their own destiny in the Wild Card race, so wins over the Texans and Rams would punch their ticket to the playoffs.

49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo Has Torn Ligament In Thumb

December 27th, 2021 at 5:39pm CST by Ben Levine

Jimmy Garoppolo reportedly suffered a thumb sprain during Thursday’s loss to the Titans, but the injury may be worse than initially thought. One source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Garoppolo suffered “a more significant injury” than a sprain, putting his availability for Sunday’s game against the Texans in doubt. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the 49ers QB suffered a chipped bone and torn ligament in his right thumb, but there’s still hope that he’ll be able to play this weekend. Schefter clarifies (on Twitter) that it’s a UCL tear for Garoppolo.

“It’s a thumb sprain, so I think you guys know how those are,” coach Kyle Shanahan said earlier today. “It didn’t feel great today, wasn’t able to throw today and we’ll see how it is on Wednesday. Hopefully it will get better.”

According to the head coach, Garoppolo suffered the injury during the second quarter of Thursday’s game. The QB ended up throwing an interception on the first drive of the second half, his second pick of the game. Garoppolo missed Monday’s practice, with rookie Trey Lance taking the spot atop the depth chart. Garoppolo is set to be reevaluated on Wednesday.

After the 49ers gave up a bounty to select Lance with the third-overall pick, the 30-year-old Garoppolo has had a bounce-back season in San Francisco. The starter has gone 8-6 in 14 starts, completing 68 percent of his passes for 3,494 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Lance got a start back in Week 5, completing 15 of his 29 pass attempts for 192 yards and one interception in a loss to the Cardinals.

Evaluating Steelers’ 2022 In-House QB Options

December 10th, 2021 at 9:29pm CST by Ely Allen

After 18 years in the National Football League, it’s sounding more and more likely that the 2021-22 season will be Ben Roethlisberger‘s last. Over the last few years, Pittsburgh has taken stabs at potential replacements for Roethlisberger, usually utilizing late-round draft picks in hopes of molding a young prospect into a starter. But Roethlisberger potentially putting an end to his career when the season concludes places a lot more pressure on the Steelers to come up with a solution.

The easiest solution is to use the materials you already have. Pittsburgh currently has two quarterbacks on the active roster behind Big Ben and one on the injured reserve. Former first round pick Dwayne Haskins and Joshua Dobbs, currently on IR, both have contracts that expire at the end of the season, but it’s easier to have contract discussions with players already in the building than not.

Mason Rudolph is the team’s current primary backup. Rudolph beat out Dobbs for the second quarterback job and took over as the team’s starter in 2019 when Roethlisberger was ruled out for the season after an elbow surgery. Rudolph went 5-3 as the Steelers’ starter before getting benched for Devlin Hodges after struggling against a winless Bengals team. He completed 62% of his passes for 1,765 yards and threw 13 touchdowns to 9 interceptions on the year. Before the 2021 season, Rudolph signed a one-year extension, pushing his free agency back until after the 2022 season. Rudolph has appeared in one game this year, filling in as Roethlisberger was held out with COVID-19. In a game that resulted in a tie with the winless Lions, Rudolph completed 30 out of 50 pass attempts for 242 yards, throwing 1 touchdown and 1 interception.

Haskins was taken in the 2019 NFL Draft with the 15th overall pick by the Washington Football Team. He saw some game time for Washington in two games in the first 8 weeks of his rookie year, but earned his first start in Week 9 after the season’s original starter, Case Keenum, could not play with a concussion. Haskins took over the offense for every game but one for the rest of the season as he missed Week 17 with an ankle injury. Haskins retained the starting job to begin the 2020 season, but was benched in a Week 5 game against the Rams. He returned to the field when new starter Alex Smith left the game in Week 14 with an injury. Haskins started the next two games before being benched once again, this time for Taylor Heinicke. Haskins was released the next day due to some controversies with breaking COVID-19 protocols and not meeting the team’s standards off the field. In two years of play, Haskins completed 60% of his passes for 2,804 yards, throwing 12 touchdowns to 14 interceptions.

There are plenty of different directions Pittsburgh could go to replace Roethlisberger should this be his final season. While they haven’t quite proven to be world-beaters, Rudolph and Haskins do provide the Steelers with workable options that are already in the building. If the Steelers decide that they don’t think they can win a Super Bowl with the talent currently in their QB room, they’ll be sure to explore some options via free agency, trade, and the 2022 NFL Draft.

If the likes of Pitt’s Kenny Pickett, Ole Miss’s Matt Corral, North Carolina’s Sam Howell, or Liberty’s Malik Willis don’t pique the Steelers’ interest, Pittsburgh may look into a short-term free agent rental as they have in the past with quarterbacks Michael Vick and Bruce Gradkowski. Quarterbacks Jameis Winston, Andy Dalton, and Teddy Bridgewater are some of the bigger names set to hit the market this offseason that could delay the Steelers’ need to draft a quarterback until some more attractive prospects potentially surface in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Pittsburgh could also trade, as they did for Dobbs, with a number of quarterbacks rumored to be available for a price. Texans’ quarterback Deshaun Watson is obviously the most available option, due to a league investigation that could result in disciplinary action. 49ers’ quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has been rumored to be available due to the expected emergence of 2021’s No. 3 overall draft pick, Trey Lance. Garoppolo is not known to be flashy, but has still accomplished a 30-13 record as a starter in the NFL. Two other veterans that have shown a little frustration with their current squads and may be open to a trade are Seattle’s Russell Wilson and Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers.

While Steelers’ management is certainly preoccupied right now with making the playoffs in a wild AFC, they will have much to consider when the season comes to an end. Whoever ends up under center for the Steelers in Week 1 of the 2022-23 NFL season, it will certainly be a change of pace for the franchise if the jersey doesn’t have fourteen letters across the top.

49ers Plan To Trade Jimmy Garoppolo In Offseason

November 28th, 2021 at 12:25pm CST by Rory Parks

The future of 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has once again become a talking point, though this time it’s due to his stretch of quality play as opposed to an injury or the presence of rookie passer Trey Lance. Over his last four games, three of which have resulted in wins, Garoppolo has posted QB ratings of 100.6, 100.6, 141.7, and 126.3, throwing for six TDs against just one interception.

He has helped the Niners crawl back into the NFC playoff race, and he has missed just one full game this year due to injury. With Lance struggling in his one start this year, many have wondered whether San Francisco might consider keeping Garoppolo for 2022, the final year of his current contract.

Earlier this week, head coach Kyle Shanahan sort of left the door open for a Garoppolo return next season, though he was adamant that Lance is still the team’s long-term play at QB. And as Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported this morning, the 49ers — barring a Super Bowl run — will seek to trade Garoppolo this offseason, thereby clearing the path for Lance (video link). That is, of course, in line with what we have heard since Lance was drafted.

So Garoppolo’s recent run is not only keeping the team in the postseason picture, it is also increasing the return that San Francisco will realize in an offseason trade. The 30-year-old passer does have a no-trade clause, and his performance makes it more likely that a team he wants to play for will be involved in the bidding for him, which makes it a win-win proposition for him and the 49ers. Matt Barrows of The Athletic, who also believes the 49ers’ preferred course of action is to trade Garoppolo, says that such a deal will likely include some sort of extension or reworked contract with the acquiring club.

If Garoppolo should start to struggle or get hurt again, the Niners could still release him and save $25.6MM against the cap, but they would obviously prefer to swing a trade and net draft pick compensation. Garoppolo will battle former Shanahan pupil and would-be 49er Kirk Cousins in this afternoon’s key matchup with the surging Vikings.

49ers: Jimmy Garoppolo Could Start In 2022

November 25th, 2021 at 11:48am CST by Zachary Links

There’s at least a “chance” that Jimmy Garoppolo could wind up as the 49ers’ starting quarterback next year. At least, that’s what head coach Kyle Shanahan told Niners beat writers on Wednesday afternoon (via Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle).

“I think there’s a chance for anything, but I think we made it pretty clear that Trey [Lance] is our guy of the future, whenever that’ll happen,” Shanahan said. “But it was also nothing against Jimmy that we [drafted] him. But we do believe Trey will be our guy of the future. And like I said, I think it’ll be really hard if Jimmy’s [playing well] for [Lance] to beat [him] out right away. So it is kind of going like that right now and I’m not thinking much past that.”

The Niners sacrificed two future first-round draft picks to move up nine spots and select Lance. After that, many expected GM John Lynch to send Garoppolo elsewhere and recoup some of that ammo. Instead, they kept the veteran and installed him as the Week 1 starter. Lance, meanwhile, has started just once, filling in while Garoppolo nursed a calf strain. The rookie looked awful green against the Cardinals, allowing Jimmy GQ to immediately reclaim his job.

Garoppolo may be the better option for 2021, but it’s still hard to imagine him staying on board next year. Keeping the veteran for 2022 would saddle the 49ers with a ~$27MM cap charge. Meanwhile, trading or cutting him would only leave them with $1.4MM in dead money. Lance — this year’s No. 3 overall pick — will carry a much lower $7.75MM cap figure.

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