Jimmy Garoppolo trade rumors: Browns in play for 49ers QB… again

The Browns have seemingly gone back and forth on Jimmy Garoppolo, and the latest NFL rumors suggest they’re again interested in the 49ers quarterback.

It would be nice if the Cleveland Browns could make up their mind.

Scratch that. It would be nice if the NFL could make up its mind with regards to Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson and whether or not he’ll be suspended longer than the original six-game recommendation dealt to him late July for alleged off-field allegations of sexual misconduct.

Commissioner Roger Goodell has delegated an appeal, which could push Watson’s suspension from six games to potentially the entire year, but no news has arrived just yet as to whether or not that’ll be the case.

However, all of this could have an impact on what the San Francisco 49ers end up doing with trade-available quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

Jimmy Garoppolo trade rumors: Browns showing interest once more

On Thursday, Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot reported that the Browns are indeed interested in acquiring Garoppolo from the Niners, provided Watson’s suspension extends longer than the six games currently anticipated:

"The Browns will consider acquiring Jimmy Garoppolo if Deshaun Watson’s six-game suspension significantly increases upon appeal, league sources tell cleveland.com.The Browns are awaiting the ruling of Peter C. Harvey, the designee of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who confirmed Tuesday that the league is seeking a minimum year-long ban for Watson with the chance to apply for reinstatement after the season."

Cabot is dialed in pretty well with Cleveland, so her pulse on the matter should be taken seriously.

Of course, this isn’t the first time the Browns have come up in discussions about a would-be Garoppolo trade, but the back-and-forth nature of potential trades has made a conclusion rather convoluted. At one point, it seemed as if Cleveland would be perfectly comfortable starting Watson’s backup, Jacoby Brissett, should the former be suspended for even the entire year.

Now, it appears the narrative has changed.

The Browns have just under $49 million available in salary-cap space, according to Over the Cap, meaning they’re one of only a handful of teams that would be able to absorb Garoppolo’s $24.2 million base salary for 2022.

In that sense, Garoppolo might actually prefer a trade to Cleveland while knowing he’d get the full amount rather than having to possibly accept a renegotiated deal somewhere else.

Related Story: Jimmy Garoppolo trade is being held up by this lone X-factor

The Niners have repeatedly announced they’re willing to be patient with Garoppolo. However, with three weeks of preseason football on the docket before teams have to trim their rosters down to 53 players, they’re likely eager to learn what the decision on Watson is.

And if it goes poorly for Watson’s camp, it could be great news for San Francisco in its efforts to get the Browns to bite.