4 reasons why SF 49ers won’t move on from Jimmy Garoppolo
By Peter Panacy
No. 2: SF 49ers have limited trade, free-agent and NFL Draft options
There are plenty of quarterbacks Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers could pursue this offseason if they elect to part ways with Jimmy Garoppolo in 2021.
Shanahan has an affinity for the Minnesota Vikings’ Kirk Cousins, of course, while Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan thrived under Shanahan when he was offensive coordinator there in 2016. Heck, even Aaron Rodgers could be made available given the Jordan Love situation.
Here’s one problem, though: Each is still under contract with their respective teams. And in the case of all three, they’re making pretty good chunks of money.
Granted, any of those franchises could shake things up, potentially via trade or a shocking cut. But that’s not going to lessen an already-thin amount of salary cap flexibility San Francisco has.
What about the free-agent market? Here are some names available there:
- Dak Prescott
- Jacoby Brissett
- Mitchell Trubisky
- Tyrod Taylor
- Ryan Fitzpatrick
- A.J. McCarron
- Cam Newton
- Andy Dalton
- Philip Rivers
Prescott is likely to cash in on a massive deal somewhere, if not with the Dallas Cowboys. And the rest of the names aren’t particularly inspiring as long-term answers.
So that leaves the NFL Draft.
San Francisco isn’t going to have a shot at Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence, who’ll likely be the first player taken this upcoming April. Ohio State’s Justin Fields is also a likely top-five pick, probably putting himself out of the SF 49ers’ range, barring a trade-up. Even BYU’s Zach Wilson could end up going higher than the Niners’ top pick.
While the draft certainly can’t be ruled out, a move here would likely put 2021 into a true reconstruct year, thwarting that Super Bowl window once again.