Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
The report that the San Francisco 49ers inquired about Carolina Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater raised some eyebrows. While
Joe Person of The Athletic speculated that general manager John Lynch and company, based on previous comments, might be looking to bolster the depth chart behind
Jimmy Garoppolo, some wondered if Bridgewater was being viewed as a potential replacement rather than an added piece to the roster puzzle.
Bridgewater is making starting quarterback money over the next two seasons, earning base salaries of $17 million in 2021 and $20 million in 2022. Even if a trade meant San Francisco was only on the hook for the quarterback's guaranteed salary of $10 million in 2021, that is still a significant chunk of the salary cap being devoted to two quarterbacks.
The 49ers are estimated to have about $13 million in salary-cap space. The team is set to dish out $25 million to Garoppolo this year. A trade for Bridgewater might not leave much left to make other moves, including re-signing some of the 32 remaining players scheduled to become free agents.
The most likely explanation for the inquiry is that San Francisco is doing its due diligence. Maybe the 49ers are just evaluating the market value of passers around the league. It's not inconceivable to think that the organization is asking about several NFL quarterbacks. After all, it reportedly engaged in talks about
Matthew Stafford and
Carson Wentz without making offers for either.
On Tuesday, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk threw out another possible explanation. Maybe San Francisco calling about Bridgewater was a negotiating tactic meant for Garoppolo's agent.
"Maybe this is just a step toward eventually going to Jimmy," Florio told PFT Live co-host Chris Simms, "and saying, 'Hey, we can't pay you 25 (million dollars) this year. We can't do it. That's why we called about Teddy. He's coming in at 17 (million dollars). Jimmy, have your agent, Don Yee, call around, see if there's anyone out there that would pay you 25 million if we cut you because there isn't.'
"I think that's part of it. If you keep Jimmy Garoppolo, you cannot pay him 25 million this year. He hasn't earned it because he can't stay healthy."
Of course, this is all speculation at this point. One can understand the 49ers considering Tom Brady last offseason and even Stafford this year. Bridgewater might be a bit of a head-scratcher if the team considered him a replacement for Garoppolo and not a backup.
Lynch was recently asked if there is any doubt that Garoppolo would be the 49ers' quarterback in September, should he be injury-free.
"No,"
Lynch responded. "Not at all. I really believe that."
That's when the general manager commented that the goal is to improve the depth behind Garoppolo, so the drop-off to the next player on the depth chart isn't so significant, should the starting quarterback miss time again.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan didn't sound too concerned about Garoppolo's salary when asked about it in December.
"People talk about Jimmy's salary,"
Shanahan told reporters. "Jimmy is like one of the middle quarterbacks in the league right now in terms of salary. That's just how much they cost. So, it's not like it's something ridiculous or anything like that. So, we can work all that out."
Shanahan also noted that while Garoppolo was expected to be the starter in 2021, there are no promises regarding roster building.
"Guys, you can't say anything with certainty," Shanahan commented. "You don't sit here and make promises on anything. We build a football team. It's your job to put the best team together year in and year out."
Adam Schefter joined ESPN radio on Tuesday morning and voiced his opinion on who the San Francisco 49ers will select with the No. 3 overall pick on April 29. Much of the media predicts that player to be former Alabama quarterback Mac Jones, and Schefter sees that as the most likely outcome, too.
"Oh, it'll be Mac Jones," Schefter responded when asked for his prediction.
What does that mean for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan have stated remains in the team's plans for 2021? The 49ers view themselves as contenders and don't want to throw in a rookie to lead the offense. Garoppolo is familiar with the playbook, and his teammates trust him.
With next year's rookie quarterback class not expected to
Everyone is eagerly trying to figure out which quarterback will be selected by the San Francisco 49ers with the No. 3 overall pick. Will it be Justin Fields, Trey Lance, or the less-popular choice of Mac Jones? Whatever the decision, it means the end of Jimmy Garoppolo's time with the Niners is inching closer. The veteran quarterback is expected to remain with the team this season, as head coach Kyle Shanahan and quarterbacks coach Rich Scangarello get the incoming rookie up to speed.
Marcellus Wiley, a former NFL defensive end, made it known this week that he feels that replacing Garoppolo is a mistake. He believes the quarterback is being made a scapegoat for San Francisco's disappointing six-win campaign in 2020. The Speak for Yourself host went on a rant,
Justin Fields, Trey Lance, and Mac Jones.
One of those quarterbacks is likely to be part of the San Francisco 49ers roster following the draft. Jimmy Garoppolo has been part of the roster since a mid-season trade in 2017 sent him from Foxborough to Santa Clara, where he is expected to remain for at least the upcoming season.
Some wonder if plans could change, though.
There were reports that the 49ers seek a first-round pick for Garoppolo. Most who have been following the team know that basically means San Francisco has no intention — for now — of trading its veteran quarterback and would have to be blown away by an offer to consider deviating from its plan. That plan is to have Garoppolo serve as a bridge quarterback, allowing the
No matter who the San Francisco 49ers select at No. 3 overall later this month, the speculation surrounding the future of Jimmy Garoppolo will heat up. Right now, the plan is to hold onto the veteran quarterback, allowing the rookie to sit and learn in his first year.
Still, there will be those who believe the 49ers should trade Garoppolo and that his trade value will plummet as soon as his eventual replacement is drafted.
Field Yates joined ESPN's Get Up! and explained why it might be in the Niners' best interest to hold onto Garoppolo for the upcoming season, which head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch have stated as the plan.
"We still plan on him leading us and getting as far as we can with him,"
