5 likely destinations for Jimmy Garoppolo if SF 49ers move on

Jimmy Garoppolo Destination No. 3: Indianapolis Colts

We’re getting into the more-likely landing spots for Jimmy Garoppolo if the SF 49ers decided to move on in 2021, and the Indianapolis Colts sure seem like a plausible contender for his services.

For starters, Garoppolo would be reuniting with his former Niners teammate, defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, who was also a team captain along with Jimmy G in San Francisco in 2019. And the Colts have more than enough projected cap space to make a free-agent deal work — $76,746,921 to be more accurate.

There’s also the real uncertainty with what happens under center next year in Indy, too, considering 39-year-old veteran quarterback Philip Rivers will be a free agent, and it’s hard to envision much of a scenario where Indy wants him back. Particularly as a long-term option.

OK, but what about a younger signal-caller in the NFL Draft?

Well, the 5-2 Colts are in one of those odd positions where they’re not likely to be selecting in the top 20 in Round 1, putting them far out of range for a top prospect like Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields or BYU’s Zach Wilson. One can never rule out day-two prospects, of course, but it’s just as possible to think head coach Frank Reich might enjoy the idea of landing a playoff-experienced quarterback like Garoppolo coming off a tenure in a highly successful SF 49ers offense under Kyle Shanahan.

Especially with Indy’s perennial playoff window being wide open now.