49ers Targeting Week 12 For Jimmy Garoppolo To Debut

Adam Schefter of ESPN is reporting that the 49ers are targeting Week 12’s game against the Seahawks for QB Jimmy Garoppolo to make his debut as their starting quarterback.

The 49ers are taking on the Giants today but will have C.J. Beathard under center for the game.

However, they’ll be on bye in Week 11, which will give Garoppolo an extended period to prepare for the Seahawks. From there, San Francisco would have a total of six games to evaluate Garoppolo as their starting quarterback.

Last weekend, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reported that the 49ers could have a new contract in place for Garoppolo before he plays a snap for them. According to La Canfora, both parties are open to the prospect of a long-term deal and talks could begin soon.

San Francisco has made it clear that they won’t rush Garoppolo to play this season, despite the fact that he’s in line to be an unrestricted free agent next March. Of course, the 49ers could always use their franchise tag on Garoppolo next year if needed, but La Canfora says that they would love to avoid doing so.

La Canfora mentions that Garoppolo is in line for a “significant payday” despite his limited regular-season experience.

Reports are currently all over the place in regards to the 49ers’ plans for Garoppolo, as Schefter reported that even though the 49ers gave up a second-round pick to get Garoppolo in their recent trade with the Patriots, it doesn’t mean they will definitely enter into a long-term partnership with the quarterback.

According to Schefter, the possibility still exists that San Francisco could elect to draft their quarterback of the future next year or attempt to sign a free agent such as Kirk Cousins.

Sources tell Schefter that there would be interest in a potential trade for Garoppolo next year if San Francisco tags him and it’s possible they could get more than a second-round pick for him.

Garoppolo, 25, is a former second-round pick of the Patriots back in 2014. He is entering the final year of his four-year, $3,483,898 rookie contract and stands to make a base salary of $820,077 to go along with a $75,000 workout bonus for the 2017 season.

Garoppolo is in line to be an unrestricted free agent next year.

In 2016, Garoppolo completed 68.3 percent of his passes for 502 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions for the Patriots over the course of six games.

We have him featured in our Top 25 – 2018 NFL Free Agents list.