Predicting where Jimmy Garoppolo wants to go if 49ers trade him

The 49ers would like to trade Jimmy Garoppolo this offseason, and he surely has his list of preferred destinations, too, creating some speculation.

If you were San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, you’d be aware of a number of things.

For starters, you know all too well you’re a lame-duck quarterback, holding down the starting job only until the Niners are ready to begin fielding rookie quarterback Trey Lance, the prospect your team aggressively traded up to No. 3 overall in last April’s NFL Draft to grab.

You’re also aware San Francisco, despite having an increased salary cap across the league in 2022, has a projected $12.77 million in cap space for next season, per Over the Cap, and a slew of other pending free agents, roster needs and players needing to be extended, making your own $27 million cap hit a proverbial “elephant in the room.”

On top of that, you’re fully aware you’re not going to get that kind of money on the open market regardless of whether or not the 2022 quarterbacking market is shaky, thin and has few ideal prospects available early in the upcoming NFL Draft. Even if the 49ers elect to trade you, an accepting team is likely wanting to renegotiate a deal to lessen that would-be cap hit.

The Niners ideally want to get some assets in return, and you’re not totally sure what your free-agent value would be anyway.

So, you might be willing to waive your no-trade clause if you wind up going to a preferred destination.

Let’s take a look at some of Garoppolo’s potential preferences for an offseason trade.