Jimmy Garoppolo isn't thinking about the offseason right now. He is focused on the San Francisco 49ers' next playoff opponent—the Green Bay Packers. However, most predict that San Francisco will transition to 21-year-old Trey Lance this offseason, no matter how far Garoppolo takes the team in the playoffs. Could a Super Bowl win change the plan in Santa Clara? Possibly. It may at least cause some rethinking among the 49ers brain trust.
Still, there are significant benefits to moving on from Garoppolo, especially if coaches feel Lance has benefited enough from an entire season of studying behind the veteran quarterback. The most obvious benefit is the salary-cap savings. Garoppolo is set to count $27 million against the cap in 2022. On his rookie deal, Trey Lance will count about $7.75 million against the cap.
That's a lot of money the 49ers can utilize elsewhere. After all, the team needs to start thinking about long-term deals for wide receiver Deebo Samuel and even defensive end Nick Bosa. Although, Bosa's fifth-year option is a possibility, should San Francisco want to delay those contract talks.
One NFL executive identified a solid fit for Garoppolo next season—the Washington Football Team (or whatever they end up deciding to call themselves). This unnamed executive feels Washington's offense can accommodate the 49ers quarterback.
"I have some concerns about Garoppolo outside of the Kyle Shanahan offense," the executive told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, "but Washington has some in-breaking stuff that would be similar. It wouldn't be as much of an issue if you can define throws for him."
NFL Media's Ian Rapoport joined KNBR this week and said he feels the trade market will be good for Garoppolo.
"I think his market's going to be good," Rapoport said on Monday. "I think he's a legit starting quarterback. [The 49ers] came into this season thinking that they had a playoff roster, wanting to run it back with [their veteran] quarterback, and then figure it out after the season, hope his trade value is high.
"It's actually all working out. I mean, it looks like it has. The plan has been perfect, and execution has been great, so I think they're in a very, very good spot to get probably a significant haul for him."
Fowler isn't as optimistic about the market for Garoppolo. It all depends on what you consider a "significant haul." The ESPN reporter feels that the cost to acquire Garoppolo won't be too pricey, partly because NFL teams know the 49ers are ready to move on to Lance.
"Plus, his $24 million salary on the last year of his deal must be reworked," Fowler adds. "But Garoppolo has played well enough to garner at least a strong Day 2 pick."
