49ers news: 3 trade rumors that are too crazy to be true

Rumor No. 2: If 49ers can’t trade Jimmy Garoppolo, they’ll keep him for all of 2022

This rumor is a lot easier to track down. In fact, it’s something general manager John Lynch reported himself, via NBC Sports Bay Area:

“He’s too good of a player,” Lynch said of Garoppolo. “I don’t foresee [releasing him], and I think Jimmy will be playing for us or he’ll be playing for somebody else. He’s too good of a player not to be.”

OK, so perhaps the 49ers can figure out a way to absorb Garoppolo’s $27 million cap hit for 2022 despite the fact it’ll make it tough to sign it’s rookie NFL Draft class this year, let alone any other modest free agents as the season rolls along.

But here’s why that’s a crazy notion:

1. Retaining Garoppolo for any part of the 2022 regular season would create an even bigger circus regarding who should be starting, Jimmy G or Trey Lance, than what existed last year
2. Niners would reduce as much as $25.5 million in cap carryover into 2023, money needed to extend star players like EDGE Nick Bosa and wide receiver Deebo Samuel
3. It would be an even greater admission San Francisco’s aggressive 2021 trade-up for Lance was a massive mistake (perhaps this is true, but holding onto Garoppolo another year only reinforces it more)

Read More: No, 49ers won’t hold onto Jimmy Garoppolo for all of 2022

In truth, Lynch is making a business statement here. There’s no market on Garoppolo right now, but that doesn’t mean none will ever exist. The 49ers would prefer to negotiate from a position of strength, not a point of weakness and desperation where they’re at now.

However, there’s always the chance no market materializes, and the Niners could easily unceremoniously release Garoppolo outright despite what Lynch said.

Again, business decisions apply.