San Francisco 49ers: Ranking top 10 trades in franchise history
By Peter Panacy
No. 9: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo
49ers acquired Jimmy Garoppolo from the New England Patriots for 2018 second-round draft pick
Some may feel Jimmy G deserves to be a lot higher on this list, especially after his first full season as San Francisco’s starter netted him 3,978 passing yards, which just happened to fall fourth best on the franchise’s all-time single-season passing list.
Perhaps. And so does Garoppolo’s 19-5 regular-season record as the 49ers’ starting quarterback.
But Garoppolo hasn’t quite put together the accolade list to move him up the boards here. One good season, combined with that unforgettable five-game stretch after being acquired from the Patriots back in 2017, makes for a top 10.
Just not too much higher.
Still, it’s fair to argue Garoppolo to the Niners was one of the better steals in recent franchise memory. The Patriots couldn’t hang onto him and future Hall of Famer Tom Brady forever, and the 49ers were sure lucky to be the beneficiary of head coach Bill Belichick’s good graces.
Good graces… it’s tough to phrase that with Belichick.