Today, reporter Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus tweeted that the Cleveland Browns "did their homework" on San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo earlier in the offseason. That's certainly not new information. However, Kyed reminds fans that Cleveland could revisit those conversations depending on several factors, including any suspension news surrounding the team's newly acquired quarterback, Deshaun Watson.
Watson continues to find himself embroiled in legal issues, and the NFL could soon hand down a lengthy suspension. That might prompt the Browns to look at their options, should they be unwilling to rely on Jacoby Brissett as their season-long starter.
The #Browns discussed Jimmy Garoppolo and did their homework on the #49ers QB earlier in the offseason, per source. Revisiting those conversations would depend on length of Deshaun Watson's suspension, asking price, Garoppolo's recovery, etc.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) July 20, 2022
As Kyed points out, the 49ers' asking price and Garoppolo's health will also factor into a potential decision by the Browns to move on the quarterback.
Garoppolo is now over four months removed from the shoulder surgery he underwent on March 8. It is unlikely any team will trade for him before he can prove to be 100 percent healthy. This week, NFL Media's Ian Rapoport reported that the veteran quarterback could be medically cleared by mid-August.
"I'm told Jimmy Garoppolo saw Dr. Neal ElAttrache, the respected surgeon who did his surgery to repair the torn capsule in his throwing shoulder earlier in this offseason," Rapoport said on NFL Network. "That was over the last several days. He is progressing extremely well, working with a physical therapist every day, doing exactly what he needs to [do].
"It is all positive, and the expectation is he'll be fully cleared—in other words, able to make all the throws, 40 yards down the field and more—at about mid-August. That is the expectation."
The 49ers traded for Garoppolo in 2017. Since then, he owns a 31-14 record as San Francisco's starting quarterback. Garoppolo completed 68.3 percent of his passes in 2021 for 3,810 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions before leading the Niners on a postseason run that resulted in the team's second NFC Championship Game appearance in three seasons.