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Why 49ers’ contract talks with Jimmy Garoppolo are taking so long

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 05: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to their game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on November 5, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 05: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to their game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on November 5, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 10: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates with general manager John Lynch after the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 10: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates with general manager John Lynch after the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

Predicting Why It’s Taking So Long Between the 49ers and Jimmy Garoppolo

With little insider information available, and no comments aside from John Lynch’s “we’re working hard at it” statements, we’re left to speculate what’s holding up a deal between the 49ers and Jimmy Garoppolo.

The mentioned negotiation points certainly are involved. But what else?

Here’s another thought. There’s going to be a lot of quarterback movement this offseason. Who knows whether or not the Washington Redskins tag Kirk Cousins for a third time. Silly if they do, especially at $34 million for 2018.

Cousins could be on the market. So might Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints, also a free agent to be. The Minnesota Vikings face free-agent decisions with quarterbacks Case Keenum, Teddy Bridgewater and Sam Bradford too.

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Don’t forget renegotiations/extensions with Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan either. And we didn’t even mention those coming out in the 2018 NFL Draft.

The point is, the Niners have some wiggle room and, more importantly, waiting time right now. Remember that whole part about quarterback contracts being part of a market value? An educated guess would state Lynch and the 49ers are waiting for that market to pan out this offseason first before committing to a new deal.

Similarly, Don Yee and Garoppolo wouldn’t be in a rush until other contracts for other quarterbacks have been finalized.

It wouldn’t be a shock at all to see Garoppolo hit with the franchise tag on, or before, March 6. This would give San Francisco over four months to let the market settle before hitting the contract-negotiation deadline of July 16.

Next: 49ers' best option for Jimmy Garoppolo's 2018 contract

So if you’re sweating out the announcement of the deal, look for it to take place in that timespan.