3 reasons why SF 49ers move on from Jimmy Garoppolo
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: SF 49ers face a financial crossroads with Jimmy Garoppolo
Even if the Niners truly liked Jimmy Garoppolo, and it seems as if they do on the surface, they’re facing a bit of a paradox with his current contract.
When Garoppolo inked his five-year, $137.5 million contract back in 2018, it was the going rate for starting-caliber quarterbacks. That deal has long since been eclipsed, of course, but it’s hard to envision Garoppolo getting anything close to that kind of money if he somehow became a free agent this offseason.
At least not after missing the bulk of the 2018 and 2020 seasons because of injuries.
Garoppolo is poised to make $26.6 million in 2021, yet $24.1 million of that could be spared if he’s either cut or traded this offseason. Currently, according to Over the Cap, San Francisco has just over $14 million in available cap space against a projected $176 million salary cap this year. That number may change, of course, depending on other roster moves and whether or not the cap ends up being higher.
But with nearly 40 other pending free agents set to hit the open market, including some high-profile players like left tackle Trent Williams and fullback Kyle Juszczyk, as well as much-needed extensions for others like linebacker Fred Warner, the SF 49ers may be faced with a tough decision.
Keep Garoppolo at the expense of a number of core players or part ways with him to retain Williams, Juszczyk and, over the long run, Warner?