How The Baker Mayfield Trade Impacts Jimmy Garoppolo’s Future With The 49ers
Jul 7, 2022, 5:30 AM | Updated: 9:36 am
Tom Pennington/Getty Images
The NFL offseason has finally hit the home stretch before training camps officially begin later this month. Until then, little is expected to happen besides the ongoing Deshaun Watson case that seems to be coming to an end.
Well, think again as Watson’s new team, the Cleveland Browns, traded former starting quarterback Baker Mayfield to the Carolina Panthers Wednesday, clearing up the logjam they had at the position.
Breaking: Baker Mayfield has been traded to the Panthers, the team announced. pic.twitter.com/ZAsayUKdM5
— ESPN (@espn) July 6, 2022
But with Mayfield now officially heading to North Carolina, leaving one less destination the San Francisco 49ers can trade veteran signal-caller Jimmy Garoppolo to, begging the question: What’s the latest Jimmy Garoppolo news with the 49ers?
If you haven’t been paying attention, Garoppolo and the 49ers’ brass have been heading for a split since the aftermath of the NFC Championship Game earlier this year. Garoppolo even indicated such during his exit press conference in February, showing his appreciation to the 49er faithful over the past five seasons.
“Faithful, thank you very much for everything. It’s been crazy, man. Just all the comebacks at Levi’s, comebacks on the road, ups and downs, it’s been a hell of a ride, guys. I love you guys. See ya,” Garoppolo said at the time.
Since then, not much has changed as Garoppolo has been rehabbing in Los Angeles after undergoing shoulder surgery in March. The 49ers have continued to move forward without Jimmy G this offseason, excusing him from minicamp and any 49ers outings over the summer. Additionally, the 49ers have continued to gauge interest in the market but little has materialized as the surgery has halted trade talks for the majority of the offseason. But as teams start to get desperate, the market could reopen for the former Super Bowl QB once he’s ready to participate in throwing drills and activities on the field.
Options left for Jimmy G’s services are dwindling. Still, the Seattle Seahawks and even the Cleveland Browns could be a potential suitors, according to former QB Robert Griffin III and other sources.
If Deshaun Watson is suspended for an extended period of time, the Browns should trade for Jimmy Garoppolo. No matter how you feel about Jimmy G, he is a proven winner for a roster ready to win now.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) July 6, 2022
And with only a year remaining on his current deal, a release is not out of the question as the 49ers would save $25.55 million with Garoppolo off the books this season, according to Spotrac.
Some have also suggested the 49ers could strike a deal with a potential trade partner to split the final year of the QB’s deal, similar to the Mayfield trade Wednesday.
Regardless, don’t expect a move to come swiftly after the Mayfield trade. The 49ers have until the start of the regular season to move or release Garoppolo as his contract isn’t guaranteed until the 53-man roster is set, according to The Athletic’s David Lombardi.
And timeline for Garoppolo hasn’t changed. Base salary still isn’t guaranteed until if/when he makes a 53-man roster, so 49ers don’t face a soft deadline to deal him until then. Potential suitor will likely want to see his arm in live action before, so holding pattern continues
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) July 6, 2022
The 49ers have a 31-14 record with Garoppolo under center, amassing more than 11,000 passing yards and 66 TDs during his five seasons in the Bay Area. The ex-Patriot took the red & gold to Super Bowl LIV during the 2019 season, losing to the Kansas City Chiefs, 31-20.
The 2022 Training Camp officially begins for the 49ers on July 26th. It remains to be seen if Jimmy G will be in the Bay Area, or on the move, by the end of the month.
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