The San Francisco 49ers are looking for a big haul in return for Jimmy Garoppolo, a new report indicates.
The team has reportedly been looking to trade away the former Super Bowl starter and snag one of the highly rated signal callers in this year’s NFL Draft. But the 49ers are also hoping to cash in on the unusually high number of teams looking to bring in new quarterbacks, seeking a significant return for Garoppolo. They could ultimately find it with the team that first drafted him.
Garoppolo’s Time In San Francisco Likely Done
After coming to the Niners in a major trade from the New England Patriots and leading the team to a Super Bowl appearance, Garoppolo’s stature has fallen quickly and his grip on the starting job disappeared. SB Nation’s Pats Pulpit reported that San Francisco is now “all but guaranteed” to draft a new quarterback after making a major move up the draft board, jumping from the No. 12 pick all the way to No. 3.
Doing so was costly for the 49ers, with the team parting with three total first-round picks in order to get in position for a rookie quarterback. Now, the team is looking to recoup some of that cost.
49ers Set Asking Price
With Garoppolo on the trade block and a number of teams in need of starting quarterbacks, the 49ers are hoping that a partner is willing to pay high. As Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported, the team is hoping to get a first-round pick in return for him.
Breer added that San Francisco is not in any rush to trade him, making it more likely that they will stand by the price.
“Absent something that really blows you away, and makes you better today, I don’t think you should do it,” Breer suggested. “So if I were the Niners, I’d tell any team that comes to me with a lukewarm offer for Garoppolo to pound sand. And then I’d have myself in a position where either the rookie blows everyone away and is rolling in 2021 or Garoppolo is in a fantastic spot with a really good team around him to boost his 2022 trade value. And win big now.”
Garoppolo Could Return To New England
There could be one particularly motivated trade partner. Reports have indicated that the New England Patriots are interested in bringing back Tom Brady’s former backup. Garoppolo was reportedly a favorite of coach Bill Belichick, who had envisioned him to become Brady’s eventual successor, but owner Robert Kraft had other plans and Garoppolo was traded to San Francisco.
The Patriots have re-signed Cam Newton for 2021, but it was not clear if he would be seen as a long-term solution. Both he and second-year quarterback Jarrett Stidham struggled behind center last season.
Niners Could Have Several Options
The No. 3 overall spot would give the 49ers several options at quarterback. As CBS Sports noted, Trevor Lawrence is locked in as the top overall pick and Zach Wilson projected to go second, but there are still several highly rated quarterbacks that would be available to San Francisco.
The outlet projected that the Niners snag Alabama quarterback Mac Jones with the pick, saying he would be a strong fit along with Trey Lance or Justin Fields.
“But Mac Jones also fits what Kyle Shanahan looks for in a QB,” the outlet noted. “And while Jones has a higher floor than the other available QBs, he’s also just started 17 career games, which means he has plenty of room for improvement.”
