Houston Texans insider John McClain recently stated that he believes Jimmy Garoppolo is "not coming to Houston." If that is true, it further limits the trade options for the San Francisco 49ers quarterback.
The most logical destination remains the Cleveland Browns. That's where Pro Football Focus reporter Doug Kyed believes Garoppolo will eventually end up. Of course, that depends on the fate of the Browns' newly acquired quarterback, Deshaun Watson, who could face league punishment. He has dealt with 24 civil lawsuits from women accusing him of sexual misconduct and sexual assault.
"Depending on what happens with Deshaun Watson, the most logical destination for Jimmy Garoppolo could be the Cleveland Browns," Kyed wrote. "I've written about it before, but if Watson is suspended a full season, then his contract will toll, and it would become at least more reasonable for Cleveland to acquire another quarterback who will give them a chance to be more competitive than if Jacoby Brissett starts in 2022.
"If Watson isn't suspended, or if the Browns don't want to go through the rigmarole of trading Case Keenum and Baker Mayfield, signing Brissett, and trading for Watson and Garoppolo in one offseason (understandable), then Garoppolo isn't left with a ton of suitors."
There has been chatter of the Seattle Seahawks being a potential Garoppolo suitor. While not unprecedented, in-division trades are rare. Some view it as unlikely that the 49ers would do any favors for their division rivals.
Of course, the Seahawks could just play the waiting game, see if the 49ers eventually release Garoppolo, and sign the quarterback without having to give anything up. However, Kyed doesn't view Garoppolo as a long-term solution for any remaining trade options, including Seattle.
"Without much debate, he'd be a short-term upgrade over situations in Atlanta, Detroit, Houston, Seattle, and Pittsburgh," Kyed added. "Maybe he'd be a better solution in New Orleans and with the Giants, as well. But I can't foresee most of those teams wanting to trade for Garoppolo since he'd provide only a slight upgrade, and many of those organizations already made moves at quarterback this offseason.
"The Seahawks make sense if the 49ers are forced to release Garoppolo. But if I'm San Francisco, I'd wait to make that move as late in the summer as possible just in case something happens to Trey Lance."