With the quarterback market essentially settled, and a resolution seeming imminent, be it a trade or a release, what teams are currently realistic trade candidates for Garoppolo?
In all honesty, there appears to be just one team, although several could be in the mix should Garoppolo get released and his $24.2 million base salary for 2022 becomes a non-factor.
Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule is entering his third season and has failed to produce results, as the Panthers have selected in the top ten in the last two drafts.
According to Sports Illlustrated's Schuyler Callihan, Darnold began the offseason program looking similar to last year, but improved as the offseason went on.
"At the start of OTAs, Sam Darnold looked like the same quarterback we saw a year ago. He would have a few good throws here and there, but would also make some bad decisions and force the ball into too tight of windows. In the last two practices, particularly Wednesday's, he looked real sharp. In fact, that was the best I've seen Sam throw the ball since he landed in Carolina. He dropped several balls right over a receiver's shoulder downfield, including one to Terrace Marshall Jr. which went for a long touchdown. Yes, I know it's just shorts and helmets but he still looked much improved."
However, should Darnold and third-round selection Matt Corral underwhelm the coaching staff, Garoppolo is available as a veteran option to raise the ceiling of the Panthers slightly, and despite Darnold's hefty $18 million salary for 2022, the Panthers can currently fit the 49ers' signal-caller on their roster without any significant moves, as they have nearly $25 million in cap space according to Over The Cap.
The Cleveland Browns have been floated around as a potential destination, though I believe the idea to be unlikely given Baker Mayfield's current contract and Garoppolo's costly deal, although, like the Panthers, they can shoulder the cap hit, as they have over $42 million in cap space according to Over The Cap.
Should Garoppolo get released, the Seattle Seahawks may align themselves as suitors on an incentive-laden deal to remain on the West Coast, however; the 30-year-old quarterback would likely choose to go to a contender if provided a chance at the starting job.
At the moment, however, the likeliest discourse between the 49ers and Garoppolo is a release, as Garoppolo's salary may be too costly to shoulder for any capital, and the veteran quarterback's $24.2 million salary is non-guaranteed, providing San Francisco with significant cap space for now and the future, allowing them to avoid any restructures and impede their future salary cap.
Jimmy G is both a leader and a winner. He has the heart to take his team down the field to get the win.
While the pundits are doing all the whys and wherefores as what his future will be, they forget one thing, injuries. If a team's starter gets hurt, Jimmy will be first in line. He has had his share of injuries, but has played through them. He won 4 tough road games in a row with injuries and lost the fifth in the championship game. He is good and he will be playing somewhere.
Ben Roethlisberger says 49ers reached out after Jimmy Garoppolo injury
By David Bonilla
Mar 21
The San Francisco 49ers made a call to former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger during the 2022 season after Jimmy Garoppolo went down with a broken foot. Despite rookie Brock Purdy stepping in and leading the team to a December 4 win over the Miami Dolphins, the 49ers understandably opted to look into all their options, including finding out if Roethlisberger might be interested in temporarily pausing his retirement.
"Last year, there were some truths to the Niners thing," Roethlisberger told Mark Madden at 105.9 The X,
Would the 49ers trade Trey Lance? John Lynch responds
By David Bonilla
Mar 27
John Lynch made one thing very clear on Monday morning during the NFL owners' meetings in Arizona. The San Francisco 49ers like their current quarterback room, comprised of Brock Purdy, Trey Lance, and Sam Darnold.
Lynch clarified one more thing: If Purdy were completely healthy and ready to play come Week 1, he would be the starter. Of course, there is so much uncertainty surrounding Purdy's health.
On March 10, the quarterback underwent surgery to repair the tear of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow he suffered in the NFC Championship Game. His recovery is expected to go into September. Although, Lynch and the 49ers are hopeful the second-year
John Lynch explains 49ers' trade for kicker Zane Gonzalez
By David Bonilla
Mar 27
Last week, the San Francisco 49ers seemingly filled their kicker vacancy by trading for Zane Gonzalez, formerly of the Carolina Panthers. Robbie Gould, the team's kicker since 2017, remains a free agent. The 49ers undoubtedly wanted him back but could no longer afford to grant the 40-year-old the kind of money he sought.
Is Gonzalez the answer for the 49ers? He's an answer, but not necessarily the answer in Santa Clara.
"I think it's a move," 49ers general manager John Lynch told reporters on Monday during the NFL owners' meetings in Arizona.
The Panthers planned to release Gonzalez, prompting Lynch to call his Panthers counterpart,
49ers have no plans to trade Javon Kinlaw, per report
By David Bonilla
Mar 23
The San Francisco 49ers plan to hold onto defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw for the fourth and final year of his rookie deal. According to Cam Inman of Bay Area News Group, who spoke with general manager John Lynch on Wednesday at Stanford's pro day, the team has no plans to trade the former first-round pick.
Some wondered about Kinlaw's future after the 49ers signed former Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Javon Hargrave to a four-year, $84 million deal. To many, the move seemingly signaled an admission that trading DeForest Buckner in 2020
