San Francisco 49ers: 3 trade scenarios to move Jimmy Garoppolo
By Peter Panacy
After trading up to the No. 3 spot in the 2021 NFL Draft, the 49ers are going to take a quarterback and could trade Jimmy Garoppolo, too.
As NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco said, the San Francisco 49ers executed a deal “that guarantees the organization will be moving on from Jimmy Garoppolo.”
The trade, of course, was a series of blockbuster moves last Friday that shook up the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. The Niners moved up from No. 12 overall in a transaction with the Miami Dolphins, grabbing the No. 3 overall pick while sending off two additional Round 1 selections, one in 2022 and another in 2023, plus a 2022 third-round pick.
The Dolphins then made another move with the Philadelphia Eagles, who now own San Francisco’s original pick.
Additional reports from multiple sources stated the 49ers remain committed to Garoppolo. But the Niners wouldn’t give up those future assets for anything else but a quarterback, adding to the already massive speculation they’ll move on somehow.
The only question is when.
It’s possible Garoppolo accepts his 2021 status as a lame duck, essentially serving as a placeholder for a still-competitive team looking at another shot at a Super Bowl this year, only to turn the reigns over to the No. 3 overall pick in 2022.
But it’s equally as possible Garoppolo wants out now, willing to move his no-trade clause in order to cash in on the $23.6 million he’d be poised to make after a trade. Likewise, a team willing to trade for him and upgrade the position right now, might be willing to bid as much as possible.
While it’s all pure speculation, these three trade scenarios could ultimately see Garoppolo moved sooner than later.