Potential Jimmy Garoppolo landing spot just got crossed off
By Mike Luciano
The success of Kyle Shanahan, Jimmy Garoppolo, and the San Francisco 49ers over the last few years has made this organization the league’s most desirable spot from which to poach players and assistant coaches. The New York Jets tried to replicate San Francisco’s success on the Atlantic in the last few years.
Not only did the Jets hire former 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and sign 49ers players like Laken Tomlinson, but they populated the coaching staff with former 49ers assistants like offensive line coach John Benton, quality control coach Miles Austin, and passing game coordinator Mike LaFleur.
While Saleh has built a tremendous defense, his quarterback play was so bad that LaFleur and Benton both lost their jobs. While many viewed Garoppolo in New York as a lock due to the staff’s familiarity with him, the Jets’ latest decisions could signal a move in a different direction.
According to Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic, the Jets are willing to hire an offensive coordinator that does not have any previous ties to the Shanahan regime. With the Jets maybe moving away from a San Francisco model, the odds of Garoppolo getting a lucrative deal elsewhere are shrinking.
On the #Jets OC search: They're not limiting it to candidates with ties to the Shanahan scheme, I'm told. They are open to a real change.
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) January 12, 2023
San Francisco 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo may not join the Jets.
Garoppolo’s value on the open market has plummeted in the last few weeks despite the fact he is coming off his best statistical season in San Francisco. Derek Carr entering the trade and (potentially) free agent markets make Garoppolo look less attractive by comparison.
Garoppolo’s injury concerns are well known at this point, but the fact that Brock Purdy has played as well (if not better) than Jimmy G since taking over as the starter might set off some alarm bells across the league. How much of his success is due to him being a cog in the Shanahan Death Star offense?
Given his lack of tremendous mobility and league-average arm talent, Garoppolo is likely going to seek out schemes that play to his strengths and allow him to get the ball out of his hands quickly. Going to New York alongside Garrett Wilson and Elijah Moore could’ve been cool, but Saleh might move in a different direction.
Perhaps the Raiders will give him a shot?
Raiders looking into signing Garoppolo in 2023 https://t.co/12iItZXnCZ
— NBC Sports EDGE Football (@NBCSEdgeFB) January 7, 2023
The least likely scenario at this point is that Garoppolo will return to the 49ers. Trey Lance is still in town and allegedly viewed as a franchise quarterback, and Purdy is playing too well to jettison. Some team will take a chance on him, but his market appears to be shrinking.
