4 players 49ers must trade now after 2022 NFL Draft additions

No. 1 player 49ers should try trading: QB Jimmy Garoppolo

You knew we were getting to this point, right?

The saga surrounding the 49ers’ efforts to trade quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo needs little introduction. They tried at the start of the league new year, ultimately failing while nearly every one of those many quarterback-needy teams went with other options, and then Garoppolo still found himself on the Niners roster by the time the NFL Draft concluded on April 30.

So much for that latest opportunity.

OK, San Francisco wants to be patient with Garoppolo and not “give him away.” But let’s make a few things clear. First, he’s not going to receive the $27 million due to him in 2022. If the 49ers retain him as a backup to Trey Lance, Garoppolo will have to take a massive pay cut. Second, even if that scenario plays out, the same Garoppolo-Lance media circus that existed last year will only be compounded this upcoming season.

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No one wants that.

The Niners appear to be banking on the hope another team’s quarterback either suffers some sort of offseason injury prior to Week 1 or completely flames out during training camp. True, Garoppolo is still recovering from his own shoulder injury and surgery, which only adds to the challenge of trying to move him this offseason.

However, San Francisco might have to admit any trade isn’t going to net the return package initially desired.

Even that would be better than an outright release, though.