The New York Jets will likely be looking to upgrade the quarterback position by bringing in a veteran after seemingly misfiring with Zach Wilson. Internally, one of the options being thrown around is San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Of course, he isn't the only option in what should be an intriguing offseason of potential quarterback moves.
"According to sources, the Jets will be looking closely at [Aaron] Rodgers, Jimmy Garoppoloand Derek Carr," wrote Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports. "They won't limit their search to just those three quarterbacks -- and sources stress it's still early in the process -- but that's where the focus will begin."
Garoppolo is recovering from a broken foot that he suffered on December 4 against the Miami Dolphins. The 49ers opted not to place the injured quarterback on injured reserve, leaving the door open for a potential return. San Francisco ruled Garoppolo out for today's NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles. However, a return for the Super Bowl remains a possibility, should the 49ers beat the Eagles. He may even be ready to start practicing after the upcoming game.
#49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo won't be active today, but sources say based on scans of his ankle this week, he's finally at a point where practicing is possible. There will be obvious risks if he actually has to play, but if SF wins, practicing then being the backup is conceivable.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 29, 2023
Obviously, Garoppolo would not start for the 49ers. Rookie Brock Purdy is QB1 right now, and that won't change. The 23-year-old has played well since taking over for Garoppolo on December 4.
Garoppolo joining the Jets would reunite him with former 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, the Jets' head coach.
"The quarterback position with all the different interviews was the No. 1 concern, and rightfully so and it was simple," Saleh said during his press conference on Thursday. "We're committed to finding a veteran -- we didn't get into names. I doubt that [offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett's] studied those guys yet, which he's going to start next week, but we didn't get into specifics on names. But it was talked about that we do plan on bringing in a veteran quarterback if we can and we do want to continue working with Zach."