NFL Notes: 49ers, Cowboys, Jets

49ers

49ers GM John Lynch mentioned during an interview with KNBR that trading for QB Jimmy Garoppolo, was a “no-brainer” for them.

“I can tell you this: When that opportunity presented itself and Kyle (Shanahan) and I started talking about it, like I said from the beginning, it was about 10 minutes in that we said, ‘This is a no-brainer,” said Lynch, via Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. “This is something we have to do.’ Because, No. 1, we’re huge believers in Jimmy Garoppolo and his ability to be a franchise quarterback, so much so that we inquired throughout this last offseason and was quickly shut down by Bill Belichick. But we did inquire as to his availability. And so we’re huge believers in what he brings to the table.”

Regarding Adam Schefter’s report that the 49ers are still open several options involving Garoppolo including the possibility of trading him at some point, Lynch said that Garoppolo being a bargaining “chip” was a part of what they valued when trading for him.

“And I can’t speak for Adam, but I will say that during the conversations that Kyle and I had, and then you bring Paraag (Marathe) in, and you start going through all the reasons why it’s a good idea. And for that alone it was a great idea for us. But at the end, as kind of a throwaway, (we) said, ‘Lookit, if all you’re doing is acquiring a chip that a lot of people see valuable, then it’s a good deal for that,’” Lynch said. “But what I think was clear and what needs to be communicated to our fan base is that we have great belief (in Garoppolo) and that’s only been strengthened in the week that he’s been here because he does special things on the practice field and he does some special things in the meeting room. Is there some unknowns? He hasn’t played a ton of football. Yeah, we’re fully aware of that. But we feel, and I think a lot of people feel, throughout this league feel, that we got a tremendous deal on a guy that has all the makings of a franchise quarterback. We’re thrilled to have him and that’s what Jimmy Garoppolo is to us.”

Cowboys

• The Cowboys have downgraded OT Tyron Smith and TE Geoff Swaim to out for Week 10. (Brandon George)

Jets

• Rich Cimini of ESPN writes that the odds of the Jets signing QB Kirk Cousins improved after the Patriots traded Jimmy Garoppolo to the 49ers. According to Cimini, the Jets like Cousins as a player and he expects them to have some degree of interest if he hits the free agent market.
• Next year, the Jets should have around $80 million of cap space to work with, so signing a big-money quarterback like Cousins wouldn’t be an issue for them.
• Even so, Cimini considers a trade up in round one of next year’s draft for Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, or Josh Allen and then re-signing veteran QB Josh McCown, who has been great for them.
• Another option tossed out by Cimini could be to trade for Chiefs QB Alex Smith, who could be available next year, considering that they have a quarterback in waiting.
• In the event the Jets don’t land a veteran quarterback or move up in round one, Cimini wonders if Baker Mayfield could be someone they look at in the second-round. Although, there has been some buzz that he could end up being a first-round pick when all is said and done.
• After the Jets hosted WR/KR Lucky Whitehead for a visit last weekend (NFLTR), Cimini says that he could be an option for New York later on if his foot is healthy.