Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Albert Breer on if 2020 is a make-or-break year for Jimmy Garoppolo
Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
There has been a lot of offseason criticism thrown on the shoulders of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. A lot. Probably more than necessary. It's understandable given how his 2019 campaign ended. Yes, he had a spectacular regular season. It was
among the best in franchise history.
Everyone tends to look at the playoffs, though.
Garoppolo didn't do much during the 49ers' first two playoff games. In his defense, he didn't have to. The team put up dominating performances against the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers. Garoppolo looked on his way to being named the MVP of Super Bowl LIV before...well...Patrick Mahomes happened, and Garoppolo stalled in the fourth quarter.
Then you have general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan admitting that they briefly flirted with the idea of pursuing
Tom Brady.
Briefly.
In the end, the two took a hard look at the quarterback they already have and determined they were happy with Garoppolo, whom they saw as a better long-term fit for the 49ers.
Still, it's the offseason. Stories need to be written. Sports talk shows need to...you know...talk. With Brady out of the picture, some are already looking to next offseason, and
speculating on Aaron Rodgers returning to the Bay Area.
There seems to be no end.
So what does that mean for Garoppolo? Is he really on the hot seat in 2020? That's what
Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated was recently asked.
Yes, Garoppolo's contract offers some flexibility, explains Breer. The 49ers could move on from the quarterback without much consequence. None of his salary in the remaining years of his deal is guaranteed. Trading him, should they desire to do so, wouldn't have any obstacles.
Said Breer: "Now for the important part—the Niners confronted this reality in March when the chance to sign Tom Brady came up and, as part of the process, GM John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan went back and broke down a boatload of Garoppolo's tape over three or four days."
The result? They seemingly fell in love with Garoppolo all over again.
"We went back and took a hard look at Jimmy,"
Lynch told Breer in May; his words mirroring what he said
during previous conversations. "We grinded for a period of three, four days. And I think we both came back and said, 'You know what? We've got the long-term answer in our building right now, and we feel really strongly about that.' As enticing as it might be—and we felt like it was a responsibility to take a look (at Brady), because that's a very unique situation—we did that, we talked with Jimmy, and told him just what we did.
"I think he appreciated that. And the great news is we're more convicted than ever that Jimmy's the guy that we want to work with going forward. We feel like he's got a lot more in him. Shoot, he was a huge reason we were in the Super Bowl last year, and why we have every intention of getting back and finishing the job."
What does Breer take away from the situation in Santa Clara and his offseason conversation with Lynch? Should fans be concerned that the 49ers might replace Garoppolo in the near future?
"So yeah, they have flexibility with Garoppolo," writes Breer. "But they also really like Garoppolo, which sometimes gets lost in the discussion."
Facebook Comments
More San Francisco 49ers News
49ers sign CB Rock Ya-Sin to a one-year deal
The San Francisco 49ers announced that they have signed cornerback Rock Ya-Sin to a one-year deal. He becomes the third cornerback to join the team this offseason. The Niners previously signed free agents Isaac Yiadom and Chase Lucas to one-year deals.
The 49ers Communications staff provided the following rundown.
Ya-Sin (5-11, 195) was originally drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the second round (34th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft. Throughout his five-year NFL career with the Colts (2019-21), Las Vegas Raiders (2022), and Baltimore Ravens (2023), he has appeared in 66 games (40 starts) and registered 193 tackles, 29 passes defensed, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. In 2023,
Details emerge on CB Rock Ya-Sin's 1-year deal with 49ers
Details have emerged on the San Francisco 49ers' latest free-agent addition. The team signed cornerback Rock Ya-Sin to a one-year deal worth $1.2925 million, with $1.05625 million fully guaranteed.
OverTheCap.com has provided the contract breakdown, which is outlined below.
Total for 2024
Base salary: $1,125,000
Prorated signing bonus: $71,250
Roster bonus: $71,250
Workout bonus: $25,000
Guaranteed salary: $985,000
Salary-cap number: $1,152,500
As per OverTheCap.com, the 49ers are currently listed at $6,496,625 under the salary
49ers sign WR Trent Taylor, reuniting with former draft pick
The San Francisco 49ers announced the signing of wide receiver Trent Taylor to a one-year deal, reuniting with the team's former fifth-round draft pick out of Louisiana Tech.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area was the first to report that the 49ers were discussing a potential reunion with Taylor. The receiver was part of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch's first draft class in 2017 and spent his first four NFL seasons with the team.
The #49ers are talking with free-agent slot receiver/return man
Draft Watch: Western Kentucky WR Malachi Corley visiting 49ers on Wednesday
The San Francisco 49ers are hosting several draft prospects this week as the deadline for pre-draft visits draws near. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, the team will host former Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley on Wednesday.
Corley is expected to be a Day 2 pick. San Francisco owns two selections on Day 2—the No. 63 overall pick in the second round and the No. 94 overall pick in the third round. Currently, the receiver is visiting with the Seattle Seahawks.
Western Kentucky @WKUFootball receiver Malachi Worley