These 49ers free agents will follow DeMeco Ryans to Texans

49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo might follow DeMeco Ryans to Texans

What, you thought it’d be only defensive players from San Francisco defecting with DeMeco Ryans to Houston via NFL free agency?

Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo should have no reason to return to the 49ers after the awkwardness that has surrounded him the last two years. Unless the Niners are willing to pay him north of $30 million per year and guarantee him a starting job in 2023 (they won’t), Garoppolo’s camp will seek employment elsewhere.

Last season told us that Texans quarterback Davis Mills isn’t the long-term answer, and despite Houston owning the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft and having a clear shot at someone like quarterbacks Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud, the Texans’ roster is bereft of talent to the point where a veteran mentor needs to toe the line for at least a full season.

Enter Garoppolo.

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Granted, Garoppolo might not want to go from one lame-duck situation to another, but he does have a working rapport with Houston’s general manager, Nick Caserio, from their days together with the New England Patriots.

Money talks, too, and the Texans could opt for a nice deal for Garoppolo while looking to groom their quarterback for the future over the long haul.

NFL free agency officially starts on March 15, and it’ll be provocative to see which former San Francisco players Ryans will want to onboard.