Soon-to-be former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is expected to be in good demand when free agency kicks off on Wednesday. That demand will start today, actually. NFL teams can begin contract negotiations with impending free-agent players from other teams starting at 9 a.m. PT.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Garoppolo can expect to receive some phone calls from the Houston Texans and the Las Vegas Raiders, the two teams anticipated to pursue the veteran quarterback. Garoppolo has familiarity with both coaching staffs. He was with Raiders coach Josh McDaniels in New England and Texans coach DeMeco Ryans in San Francisco.
Another team that could be interested in the quarterback is the New York Jets. However, they are also reportedly interested in trading for Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and will first wait and see how that goes.
When the negotiating window for free agency opens in under an hour, the Texans and Raiders are expected to pursue former 49ers' QB Jimmy Garoppolo, per league sources. Jets also could get in, but they're in wait-and-see mode right now.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2023
The New England Patriots made Garoppolo (6-2, 225) a second-round selection (No. 62 overall) out of Eastern Illinois in 2014. He completed 67.2 percent of his passes for 2,437 yards with 16 touchdowns and four interceptions through 11 game appearances (10 starts) with the 49ers last season, per Pro Football Reference.
San Francisco acquired Garoppolo in 2017 via a trade with the Patriots. He was the team's starter until this past season but returned to the starting lineup after Trey Lance suffered a season-ending ankle injury during Week 2. Garoppolo lasted until Week 13, when he sustained a broken foot, creating an opportunity for rookie quarterback Brock Purdy to start.
Garoppolo, 31, has completed 67.6 percent of his passes for 14,289 yards with 87 touchdowns and 42 interceptions in 74 game appearances (57 starts) through his nine NFL seasons with the Patriots and 49ers.