Jimmy Garoppolo came within one win of making his second Super Bowl start in three seasons as the 49ers' starting quarterback, falling to the Rams in the NFC Championship on Sunday night. With rookie Trey Lance waiting in the wings, however, and the 30-year-old Garoppolo due more than $25 million in 2022, the veteran signal-caller acknowledged reality in the wake of San Francisco's loss: he's probably played his last game with the 49ers.
Who knows what Lance will actually bring to the table, offering more athleticism but less proven NFL passing? But after an injury-riddled and mostly passable performance as the 2021 starter, Garoppolo will almost surely be traded or released this offseason, saving the 49ers virtually his entire 2022 salary in the process. As a whole, he's probably reached his ceiling as a starting QB: good enough to make a legitimate run, but not necessarily to win it all (a common issue around the league, if you haven't noticed). But that's more than some teams currently have at QB, so he figures to have a decent market.
Where, exactly, could Garoppolo end up? Here are logical landing spots:
Broncos: Rodgers will be their top target, and there are other, better fallbacks, including potentially Kirk Cousins. But if they can't snag a big name, Garoppolo at least offers playoff experience. Denver's roster could support him, too, with a solid run game and defense. They've got more than enough cap space to make it work.
Jets: No, they're not ready to give up on Zach Wilson, but GM Joe Douglas should know the value of a good veteran backup plan after 2021. Coach Robert Saleh is familiar with Garoppolo from San Francisco, as is offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, who was the 49ers' passing game coordinator from 2017-2020. Call it a Ryan Tannehill-style play for an emergency option.
Saints: They've got a monumental salary cap hurdle to clear, but their defense is still built to contend, and their replacement options for Sean Payton appear geared toward a quick turnaround. Jameis Winston may get another crack at the top job, but they could stand to explore every option at QB.
Steelers: They need a long-term answer after Ben Roethlisberger's retirement, but even if they spend an early pick at QB, Garoppolo would make for a logical stopgap, considering Mike Tomlin is always coaching for the playoffs and has the pieces to lean on the ground and defense moving forward.
Texans: Houston might very well be better off developing Davis Mills, who flashed as a third-round rookie in 2021, but can the Texans afford to enter 2022 with only him at QB? GM Nick Caserio was in the Patriots' front office when New England spent a second-rounder on Garoppolo in 2014.
Washington: When aren't they taking fliers on veteran QBs? Ron Rivera knows he must get a real, reliable starter under center after dabbling with Alex Smith, Kyle Allen and Taylor Heinicke. Garoppolo's injury history might scare them off after Ryan Fitzpatrick flopped, but Jimmy G has been a steadier QB1. GM Martin Mayhew, by the way, was in the 49ers' front office when San Francisco acquired Garoppolo from the Patriots in 2017.
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Who knows what Lance will actually bring to the table, offering more athleticism but less proven NFL passing? But after an injury-riddled and mostly passable performance as the 2021 starter, Garoppolo will almost surely be traded or released this offseason, saving the 49ers virtually his entire 2022 salary in the process. As a whole, he's probably reached his ceiling as a starting QB: good enough to make a legitimate run, but not necessarily to win it all (a common issue around the league, if you haven't noticed). But that's more than some teams currently have at QB, so he figures to have a decent market.
Where, exactly, could Garoppolo end up? Here are logical landing spots:
Broncos: Rodgers will be their top target, and there are other, better fallbacks, including potentially Kirk Cousins. But if they can't snag a big name, Garoppolo at least offers playoff experience. Denver's roster could support him, too, with a solid run game and defense. They've got more than enough cap space to make it work.
Jets: No, they're not ready to give up on Zach Wilson, but GM Joe Douglas should know the value of a good veteran backup plan after 2021. Coach Robert Saleh is familiar with Garoppolo from San Francisco, as is offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, who was the 49ers' passing game coordinator from 2017-2020. Call it a Ryan Tannehill-style play for an emergency option.
Saints: They've got a monumental salary cap hurdle to clear, but their defense is still built to contend, and their replacement options for Sean Payton appear geared toward a quick turnaround. Jameis Winston may get another crack at the top job, but they could stand to explore every option at QB.
Steelers: They need a long-term answer after Ben Roethlisberger's retirement, but even if they spend an early pick at QB, Garoppolo would make for a logical stopgap, considering Mike Tomlin is always coaching for the playoffs and has the pieces to lean on the ground and defense moving forward.
Texans: Houston might very well be better off developing Davis Mills, who flashed as a third-round rookie in 2021, but can the Texans afford to enter 2022 with only him at QB? GM Nick Caserio was in the Patriots' front office when New England spent a second-rounder on Garoppolo in 2014.
Washington: When aren't they taking fliers on veteran QBs? Ron Rivera knows he must get a real, reliable starter under center after dabbling with Alex Smith, Kyle Allen and Taylor Heinicke. Garoppolo's injury history might scare them off after Ryan Fitzpatrick flopped, but Jimmy G has been a steadier QB1. GM Martin Mayhew, by the way, was in the 49ers' front office when San Francisco acquired Garoppolo from the Patriots in 2017.
CBS Sports
