Jimmy Garoppolo is the final man standing. After the Panthers acquired Baker Mayfield from the Browns earlier this month, Jimmy G is one of the best quarterback obtainable available on the market. Assuming the 49ers both commerce or launch him, the place are one of the best touchdown spots for Garoppolo?
San Francisco held onto Garoppolo by way of free company and the NFL draft, however after an offseason stuffed with quarterback motion, there aren’t many apparent locations remaining. Garoppolo is due a $24.2 million base salary subsequent season. With 2021 first-round choose Trey Lance set to imagine beginning duties, it doesn’t make sense for the 49ers to maintain Garoppolo on their books.
If he will get launched, Garoppolo could have to simply accept a task as a well-compensated backup. Let’s run by way of all 32 NFL groups and determine which golf equipment could or could not have an curiosity in buying Jimmy G.
Unlikely to have curiosity in Garoppolo
By our estimation, 19 of the 32 NFL groups would in all probability not goal Garoppolo even when he had been obtainable on the free agent market. The vast majority of these golf equipment — the Jets, Dolphins, Payments, Colts, Chargers, Eagles, Giants, Commanders, Cardinals, and Saints — already have an established backup quarterback and thus wouldn’t require Garoppolo’s companies.
Garoppolo would symbolize an enchancment over Brian Hoyer in New England, however there’s an excessive amount of baggage for him to return to the Patriots. The identical goes for the Buccaneers — Tom Brady in all probability doesn’t need Jimmy G behind him once more.
The Steelers are set with a Mitchell Trubisky/Kenny Pickett competitors, the Panthers already made their transfer by buying Mayfield, and the Packers will stick to former first-round choose Jordan Love behind Aaron Rodgers. Tyler Huntley will not be a family identify, however he’s a Weight-reduction plan Coke model of Lamar Jackson in Baltimore.
The Bears, Lions, and Falcons might use higher No. 2 QBs, however none of these groups needs to be losing belongings on a backup signal-caller at this stage of their rebuilds.
Would possibly make sense for Garoppolo
We’ve acquired 13 groups remaining. 5 golf equipment stand out as potential touchdown spots, however the circumstances aren’t preferrred. Let’s check out which of them would make sense for the 49ers quarterback.
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
Chad Henne is a well-respected veteran in Kansas Metropolis’s locker room, however might the Chiefs rely on the 37-year-old if one thing occurred to Patrick Mahomes? Garoppolo has far better upside than Henne. If he had been pressured into motion for KC, Garoppolo might flourish beneath Andy Reid and set himself up for a payday in 2023.
Las Vegas Raiders
Derek Carr is locked in because the Raiders beginning quarterback, however Josh McDaniels’ working historical past with Garoppolo means the 49ers QB might slot in Vegas. Though the Raiders just gave Carr an extension, they may simply launch him subsequent offseason with minimal lifeless cash. Garoppolo would take over for Nick Mullens as Las Vegas’ prime backup in 2022 and provides the membership optionality in 2023.
Minnesota Vikings
Sean Mannion is arguably the least productive backup QB within the NFL. He’s began three video games by way of seven seasons, however he doesn’t have a lot to indicate for it. Garoppolo can be an improve, though it’s truthful to marvel if Vikings followers would begin clamoring for him to take the sector if Kirk Cousins has a down recreation or two. Minnesota might compete for a playoff spot, however new head coach Kevin O’Connell won’t need to trigger dissension by including a brand new QB on the eve of coaching camp.
San Francisco 49ers
No, your eyes aren’t deceiving you — there may nonetheless be an opportunity Garoppolo stays in San Francisco. Nonetheless, there’s virtually no chance he sticks at his present wage. If he agreed to scale back his pay to $6-8 million (in step with the league’s different prime backup QBs), Garoppolo might stay in scarlet and gold.
Nonetheless, do the 49ers actually need to hold Garoppolo on the roster whereas turning the beginning job over to Lance? The specter of Garoppolo might put undue stress on Lance, who has made solely three begins since 2020. Jimmy G can be a greater No. 2 QB than Nate Sudfeld, however that may not be well worth the added stress on Lance.
Tennesee Titans
It’s unclear if veteran Logan Woodside or rookie Malik Willis will likely be Tennessee’s backup quarterback, but when Ryan Tannehill had been to go down, the Titans can be well-served to see what Willis has to supply. In that case, Garoppolo would symbolize extra of a “progress-stopper” than the rest. The Titans need to weigh their rapid rivalry prospects in opposition to Willis’ long-term growth.
Ought to pursue Garoppolo
Eight groups left. These golf equipment ought to go after Garoppolo if he reaches free company. He’d be a backup for almost all of those organizations, however there are nonetheless a couple of groups that would use Jimmy G as a starter.
Cincinnati Bengals
After reaching the Tremendous Bowl earlier this yr, the Bengals used free company and the draft to fill most of their wants. But when Joe Burrow had been to undergo a critical harm (as he did in 2020), Cincinnati would flip to Brandon Allen beneath middle. Whereas Allen made some performs filling in for Burrow two seasons in the past, Garoppolo can be a greater possibility for a Bengals crew that hopes to contend once more.
Cleveland Browns
If Deshaun Watson is suspended for a “prolonged time period,” the Browns are anticipated to pursue a backup to Jacoby Brissett, as Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com just lately reported. But, on condition that Cleveland expects to compete this yr, Garoppolo might conceivably take over because the membership’s starter for 2022.
The Browns have extra cap area ($48 million) than any crew within the league, to allow them to definitely afford San Francisco’s QB. Garoppolo’s expertise in a equally run-heavy 49ers offense ought to set him up for achievement with the Browns, even when he arrives late.
Dallas Cowboys
It’s a make-or-break marketing campaign for the Cowboys’ teaching workers. If Dak Prescott will get injured, Cooper Rush would take over at QB. Rush has tried simply 50 profession passes, 40 of which got here in a victory over the Vikings final yr. Mike McCarthy and Kellen Moore should win this season, and Garoppolo is a superior expertise to Rush. If he had been to play, Jimmy G would profit from performing nicely in a big media market like Dallas.
Denver Broncos
May the Broncos add two former NFC West quarterbacks in the identical offseason? Going from Drew Lock to Russell Wilson marks the most important QB enchancment within the NFL. Whereas Josh Johnson is a serviceable backup, Garoppolo would totally insulate Denver in opposition to a Wilson harm. In fact, Wilson had by no means missed a snap till 2021, so maybe the Broncos don’t really feel the necessity to improve their No. 2 QB slot.
Houston Texans
The Texans aren’t aiming to compete in 2022, and so they need to determine what they’ve in second-year signal-caller Davis Mills. At age 30, Garoppolo in all probability isn’t a long-term match for a crew like Houston. However the Patriots reference to Texans normal supervisor Nick Caserio is just too robust to disregard.
Jacksonville Jaguars
C.J. Beathard is a reliable backup, however the Jaguars might do higher. Within the case of some second-year quarterbacks, having a veteran like Garoppolo because the No. 2 might trigger an incessant drumbeat of alternative dialog. However that wouldn’t be a problem in Jacksonville.
Trevor Lawrence struggled in his rookie marketing campaign, however he’s undoubtedly the Jags’ long-term reply. He’d be taught rather a lot from Garoppolo, who’s been to 2 NFC Championship Video games and a Tremendous Bowl over the previous three seasons.
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams aren’t afraid of splashy signings, and poaching their subsequent backup QB from a divisional rival will surely be spicy. John Wolford began a playoff recreation for Los Angeles after the 2020 season, however he’s not often been known as upon since. Maybe the Rams need to use their remaining cap area to search out one other edge rusher, however Garoppolo would shield their star-studded roster in opposition to a Matthew Stafford harm.
Seattle Seahawks
Ultimately, we’ve reached the Seahawks — the one NFL crew that also has (or at the least ought to have) a purpose so as to add a beginning quarterback. Neither Geno Smith nor Drew Lock has finished sufficient of their profession to earn a beginning position, and Pete Carroll doesn’t appear eager about tanking.
Garoppolo would enable Seattle to run a reliable offense, but it surely’s unclear if San Francisco can be keen to commerce him throughout the division. Given the dearth of open QB roles across the league, the Seahawks can doubtless wait out the 49ers and hope they need to ultimately launch Garoppolo.
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