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How Jimmy Garoppolo’s new deal affects 49ers’ use of a franchise tag

By Peter Panacy

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass during the first half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass during the first half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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The San Francisco 49ers inked quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to a NFL record-setting long-term deal, meaning the Niners are free to use the franchise tag on someone else if they deem it fit to do so.

The San Francisco 49ers no longer need to worry about the possible implications of placing the franchise tag on quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

On Tuesday, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported the Niners inked Garoppolo to a record-setting five-year, $137.5 million contract, making him the league’s highest-paid player ahead of Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Darlington (h/t Fourth and Nine’s Dylan DeSimone), San Francisco did not want to risk the kinds of problems the Washington Redskins encountered with their own quarterback, Kirk Cousins, after applying the franchise tag on him in back-to-back years:

NFL teams are allowed to use the franchise tag once per offseason. You can read more on how the tag works, and what rules apply, here.

Tags sound great. But they also can create tension between player and organization. With no long-term guarantees in place, it’s essentially a one-year “prove it” deal.

That said, would general manager John Lynch and the 49ers consider using their now-free franchise tag with Garoppolo’s contract in place?

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

It’s possible.

Last December, Niner Noise explored three possible candidates the team could use the tag on this offseason — Garoppolo, safety Eric Reid and running back Carlos Hyde. Let’s explore whether or not the latter two might be worth tagging this offseason.

Running Back Carlos Hyde

Hyde is set to hit free agency this offseason. The 27-year-old former second-round NFL Draft pick didn’t crest 1,000 rushing yards in 2017, although he did lead the Niners in all-purpose yards (1,288).

At the end of last season, Hyde noted he’d like to be back in San Francisco for 2018. The question is whether or not Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan see the veteran as a fit.

Currently, the Niners have 2017 rookies Matt Breida and Joe Williams (injured reserve, ankle) waiting in the folds. And this year’s draft is stocked with promising tailbacks, making a long-term commitment to Hyde seem unlikely.

Yet if San Francisco feels less-than confident about either Breida and Williams assuming a larger role, or not getting the tailback it wants in the draft, tagging Hyde makes some sense.

Safety Eric Reid

Likewise, Reid is a player possibly pushed out of long-term security with the 49ers by younger, cheaper options at his position.

Initially tabbed as a natural fit at strong safety within coordinator Robert Saleh’s defense, Reid lost his starting duties to fellow safety Jaquiski Tartt early in 2017, only to get them back after Tartt was lost to injured reserve with a broken forearm.

SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 26: Eric Reid #35 celebrates after intercepting a pass against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 26: Eric Reid #35 celebrates after intercepting a pass against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Reid has the flexibility to play both strong and free safety positions, though, but the prime question is whether or not he’ll earn a starting job.

It’s a proposition made more difficult by the ascendance of 2017 rookie Adrian Colbert, who took over free safety duties at the tail end of the year. Colbert, who finished with a respectable 77.6 overall Pro Football Focus grade.

Colbert likely competes with veteran safety Jimmie Ward, who was also lost to IR with an arm injury.

It’s hard to see Reid pushing either Tartt or Ward/Colbert out of a starting job. Would Reid be OK with a backup role? Probably not, which means he’d likely want to explore the free-agent market.

If the 49ers allowed him.

More from Niner Noise

If the 49ers Use the Franchise Tag…

Should San Francisco place the tag on either Hyde or Reid, the latter makes a bit more sense.

Both Tartt and Ward have notable injury histories. And Colbert, while promising his rookie season, still has a lot to prove before cementing himself as a bona fide starter.

Depth is just as important as quality starters. All one has to do is look at the Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback situation leading up to Super Bowl LII to understand that. Sure, safety might not be as crucial as quarterback — although the Niners seem to have a quality QB backup to Garoppolo in C.J. Beathard — but it wouldn’t be a bad move to keep Reid around for a year to ensure the secondary remains in good shape.

Next: Predicting which free agents the 49ers re-sign or let walk

So, if the Niners decide to use the franchise tag, look for it to be placed on Reid. Hyde walks, and a trio of young runners, hand picked by Shanahan, comprise San Francisco’s ground attack in 2018.