Jimmy Garoppolo Trade Could Open Up A Number Of Options For 49ers Next Year

Adam Schefter reports that even though the 49ers gave up a second-round pick to get Jimmy 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.

Of course, there’s also the possibility that the 49ers could use their franchise tag on Garoppolo next year. 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.

Meanwhile, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that both the 49ers and Patriots believe San Francisco got a “stud” quarterback by trading for Garoppolo before last week’s deadline. However, Rapoport says that the 49ers didn’t make this move to save their 2017 season and instead plan to have him as C.J. Beathard‘s backup for at least this week.

According to Rapoport, San Francisco has no plans for Garoppolo to play until he’s ready and comfortable with their playbook and the supporting cast around him isn’t as injury-depleted.

As for why the Patriots traded Garoppolo, Rapoport mentions that the two parties couldn’t come close to a contract extension when discussing a deal during the spring. Beyond that, they believe Tom Brady will play for years to come and are confident in his play after assessing him for the first half of the season.

While this probably isn’t much of a surprise, the Patriots never considered trading Brady and it won’t be an option for them moving forward, according to Rapoport.

During the offseason, the Patriots told teams that Garoppolo wasn’t available, and while the Browns offered them a second- and a mid-round pick, it never was seriously considered.

Interestingly enough, Rapoport says that Patriots HC Bill Belichick took the lead on the Garoppolo trade and actually sought out the 49ers about the deal.

By landing Garoppolo, Rapoport writes that this effectively removes them from the mix for Cousins next year, so there’s some conflicting info here about whether Cousins will be an option for them.

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.