Jimmy Garoppolo, Baker Mayfield trade could be perfect for 49ers

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The 49ers and Browns are both sitting on quarterbacks with no future on the roster, Jimmy Garoppolo and Baker Mayfield, so could a swap be the way out for both teams?

The San Francisco 49ers are gearing towards the new season, but the Jimmy Garoppolo saga is still one unwelcome reminder of last season that first needs to be dealt with until the 2022 season can move on.

A rapidly moving quarterback market and shoulder surgery to the throwing arm of the former starting quarterback stalled any attempts to move Jimmy G on via a trade, and with training camp fast remaining it’s hard to fathom Garoppolo having a role for the Niners with the team fully committed to handing over the keys to young quarterback Trey Lance.

The teams still actively seeking a quarterback are few and far between, with the Seattle Seahawks (unlikely) and the Carolina Panthers (a little more likely) the most likely teams to strike a deal for a veteran quarterback.

Right now, the market is pretty sparse with such a hectic offseason, with Garoppolo and Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield the only real names of note left.

Insiders believe the two will most likely be released, rather than traded.

So with the 49ers and Browns stuck with two quarterbacks who aren’t needed but still can play at a decent level in the NFL, why not just swap them?

It sounds crazy, but there’s something to this, and it’s not the first time such a trade has been broached. The Niners and Browns need to jettison their quarterbacks, and it’s better to find a trade partner and get something back. Both teams can also fill short-term needs with this.

But, the idea of a Garoppolo-Mayfield trade seems so crazy on the surface. What benefits do both teams get from this trade?

Let’s take a look at what shifting quarterbacks can do for both Cleveland and San Francisco.