Predicting which free agents 49ers re-sign, let walk in 2023

49ers NFL free agency prediction: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo

There are more than just a couple of reasons why San Francisco will finally, finally bid farewell to veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo this offseason.

For starters, John Lynch effectively said as much not long ago.

Sure, Lynch and the 49ers said similar things last offseason, too, but the context in 2023 is vastly different, especially about Garoppolo being a free agent. That wasn’t the case last offseason.

Additionally, why would Garoppolo want to return to the Niners after they put him through some strikingly extreme awkwardness, first in 2021 by drafting quarterback Trey Lance and then again with all those failed trade talks in the 2022 offseason?

Garoppolo should be happy to leave.

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Even if he wanted to stay, it’s highly likely he vastly outpriced himself beyond what San Francisco could afford, especially in the wake of the New Orleans Saints signing former Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr to a four-year deal worth $150 million.

Garoppolo should make a number not too far off from that, and the 49ers wouldn’t be able to absorb the cap hit this year.

It might be hard to fathom, but Jimmy G won’t be back in 2023.

Prediction: Let walk