Texans may push for 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo; Tom Brady responds to rumors

New Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans was with the San Francisco 49ers for the entirety of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo's time with the team. He may be looking for a reunion.

According to CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones, there is a push inside the organization to add Garoppolo, who will become an unrestricted free agent next week after five-and-a-half seasons in the Bay Area. However, that doesn't mean ignoring the position in the upcoming draft.

"Sources tell CBS Sports there's a push within the building to sign quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and play him in 2023 while drafting a quarterback at some point in the first round with the plan to sit him for the year and grow," wrote Jones.

"Houston picks at No. 2 and 12 with more than $40 million in cap space right now, so the Texans could easily fit their quarterback of the future into the team beside the quarterback of the now if it's Garoppolo."

Former 49ers offensive passing game coordinator Bobby Slowik is now the Texans' offensive coordinator, so Garoppolo would be able to pick up Houstons' system quickly.

"Garoppolo will have to want to go to Houston, though," Jones adds. "A free agent, Jimmy G can pick his spot. The Jets are waiting on Aaron Rodgers and are hopeful he's going to give an answer any day now. The Raiders could have interest in Garoppolo. But those places would seemingly be the top landing spots."

Tom Brady responds to return rumors

Despite the future Hall of Fame quarterback being retired, there continues to be speculation surrounding Tom Brady. Many wonder, with the uncertainty in the 49ers' quarterback room, if the Niners' brain trust might make a call to Brady, trying to entice him to return for one more season, playing for his favorite childhood team.

Could the 49ers become more desperate if Brock Purdy's surgery on Friday doesn't go as hoped? Repairing the torn ligament in his elbow will require six months of recovery. If reconstruction is needed, that could mean a nine-month recovery.

Rich Eisen discussed some of the rumors circulating in Indianapolis last week at the NFL Scouting Combine. The one he couldn't escape? Brady's second unretirement in as many years.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk continues pushing the narrative that Brady might consider a return if the 49ers call.

"I think this year, out of any year since 2020, the 49ers would be more inclined to give something like that a try for a one-year thing," Florio said. "The question is getting Brady to do it. But I'm not getting off that horse because I know, dating back to his first foray into free agency three years ago, the 49ers were his first choice. And I just feel like he's going to believe his career isn't complete until he wears that gold helmet with the 49er logo on it for one season of his career."

On Tuesday, Brady hilariously responded to the chatter, tweeting, "Anyone who thinks I have time to come back to the NFL has never adopted a 2 month old kitten for their daughter."

It certainly does not mean much, but interestingly, the great quarterback is keeping tabs on offseason rumors. He's likely heard at least some of the chatter surrounding him and the 49ers.