Jimmy Garoppolo: 3 reasons 49ers QB starts for all of 2021

No. 1: Jimmy Garoppolo trade market could be cold for a while

The Niners could simply release Jimmy Garoppolo and net a substantial chunk of cap savings in the process, but the ideal scenario would be for them to maximize the value and get something in return via a trade.

San Francisco 49ers

This would have been a bigger possibility before the 2021 draft, though, when quarterback-needy teams like the Chicago Bears, New England Patriots and even the Denver Broncos could have called with a halfway-decent trade offer.

Yet the Bears traded up for Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields in the draft, while the Patriots netted Alabama’s Mac Jones. Even the Broncos traded for veteran QB Teddy Bridgewater to compete with the incumbent quarterback, Drew Lock, suggesting they’re not overly eager to put up substantial compensation for someone like Garoppolo.

The bigger picture is the NFL quarterbacking landscape is much more settled now than it was just ahead of the draft, meaning it would be a buyer’s market on Garoppolo, and that won’t help San Francisco maximize that value at all.

Things change, however.

In 2016, when Bridgewater suffered a devastating knee injury with the Minnesota Vikings, Sam Darnold was moved to Minnesota by the Philadelphia Eagles for a package including a first-round draft pick. Something like that could easily prompt a change in the market, potentially resulting in a Jimmy G trade.

But until it does, the idea is off the table.

Rather, the bigger likelihood is a full season playing itself out before we and the 49ers have an idea if there’s going to be a market for Garoppolo’s services.

And if there isn’t, don’t expect Jimmy G to go anywhere anytime soon.