A report surfaced yesterday stating that the New England Patriots were preparing a new contract for Jimmy Garoppolo — just in case the San Francisco 49ers decided to trade the veteran quarterback. Another report stated that the expectation around the league is that the Niners would try to move Garoppolo before or during the draft, which kicks off tonight.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero says that there are currently no plans to trade Garoppolo. However, he adds that multiple teams are expected to reach out to San Francisco today to inquire about the quarterback.
"My understanding is, you can anticipate multiple teams to be checking in with the 49ers today about a potential trade for Garoppolo," Pelissero said on Good Morning Football. "One logical team that has been connected to this for a while now, of course: Garoppolo's original team, the New England Patriots. But the wheels are not in motion on anything just yet."
Expect multiple teams to inquire today about a potential deal for #49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo, who has some control over fate via his no-trade clause. No talks on a restructured contract elsewhere yet. @gmfb @gmfb pic.twitter.com/DlQzXnCNJY
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 29, 2021
NFL insider Ian Rapoport adds that there are no plans to trade Garoppolo unless one of those inquiring teams blows them away with an offer. San Francisco has repeatedly stated that Garoppolo remains in its plans for the upcoming season and that it would take a first-round pick for those plans to change.
"Seems pretty unlikely, but crazier things have happened," added Rapoport.
The #49ers do not have plans to trade Jimmy G, unless the value overwhelms them. Seems pretty unlikely, but crazier things have happened. https://t.co/LToStyZL8e
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 29, 2021
"You have one big complicating factor here: Garoppolo has a no-trade clause in his contract that just kicked in last month," Pelissero continued. "So, in essence, Garoppolo could scuttle any deal by not agreeing to a restructured contract on the one that is currently due to pay him $25.5 million in 2021."
ESPN's Adam Schefter also reported that multiple teams are expected to contact the Niners today about Garoppolo, but the chances of a trade occurring are "remote," as of this morning. As with all things in the NFL, the situation could change over the next three days.
Multiple teams are expected to contact the 49ers today to inquire about the availability of QB Jimmy Garoppolo, per sources. But as of early this morning, the chances of him being traded are, in the words of one source, "remote." Let's see if anything changes in next 72 hours.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 29, 2021
The 49ers are expected to select Garoppolo's eventual replacement with the No. 3 overall pick. That could be Mac Jones of Alabama, Trey Lance of North Dakota State, or even Justin Fields of Ohio State. Right now, the plan is to have the rookie quarterback sit and learn behind Garoppolo during the 2021 season.