Jimmy Garoppolo to Buccaneers to replace Tom Brady (it could happen)

Buccaneers can afford Jimmy Garoppolo

Over the Cap has the Buccaneers at $19.4 million in projected available cap space for 2022, and a would-be Tom Brady retirement would free up all but $8 million owed to him next season, freeing up $24 million in total.

More than enough financial assets to absorb the approximate $25 million needed to take on a post-trade salary for Jimmy Garoppolo.

The Niners making it this far in the playoffs has already increased Garoppolo’s trade value, even though he might not be anything close to the sole reason why San Francisco has advanced to the NFC Championship game, potentially beyond.

A weak offseason quarterback market probably has a lot more to do with that, yes. But it’s not without question the 49ers could seek a second-round pick in return from Tampa Bay.

Maybe even a bigger package if there winds up being a bidding war for Garoppolo involving other quarterback-needy teams.

The Buccaneers own all their 2022 draft picks, aside from a Round 6 selection, made up for somewhat by a projected seventh-round compensatory pick. Currently, they’re slated to pick at No. 27 overall, which would create a dream scenario if the Niners somehow managed to pry away a Round 1 pick.

Not likely. But possible.

Even so, it’s time we add the Bucs to the long list of potential teams interested in Garoppolo this offseason, depending entirely upon what Brady decides to do.