After months of speculation, the San Francisco 49ers are no closer to trading quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo than they have been for the last several months.
In fact, it seems even less likely they will do so at all than at any point since the conclusion of last season.
Now, the expectation is that the 49ers will simply wait to release Garoppolo prior to the start of the regular season.
Several teams have been rumored to have some interest in trading for him, but it seems there is no point in giving up capital for him if he will simply be released soon.
One of those teams that seemed to kick the tires on a Garoppolo trade was the Seattle Seahawks.
Niners beat writer Matt Maiocco said on KNBR’s “Tolbert and Copes” show on Monday that they “think [Jimmy Garoppolo] is going to be ending up in Seattle.”
"I know around the 49ers that they think [Jimmy Garoppolo] is going to be ending up in Seattle."
– @MaioccoNBCS w/ @byronjr23 & @Adamcopes
— KNBR (@KNBR) August 23, 2022
San Francisco may not want to see Garoppolo go to a division rival, but it shouldn’t do too much damage to its Super Bowl hopes.
The Seahawks Are In Great Need Of A Quality Quarterback
Just several years ago, the 49ers and Seahawks were fierce rivals, as the two teams met in the NFC Championship Game following the 2013 campaign with Seattle winning narrowly.
Now, the Niners have successfully rebuilt in a short amount of time, while the Seahawks are still looking to reconfigure, having traded franchise QB Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos.
They got Drew Lock back in that deal, and as of now, he is slated to battle Geno Smith for the right to be the team’s starting signal-caller.
Neither of them are Pro Bowl material, which means Garoppolo would be a major improvement.
Head coach Pete Carroll has two strong wide receivers in Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf, and the presence of Garoppolo could give Seattle an outside shot at returning to the NFL playoffs.
But even if that happens, the team would have virtually no shot of upsetting the 49ers in a potential postseason matchup.
The days of running back Marshawn Lynch shredding their front seven and cornerback Richard Sherman shutting down their passing game while talking trash are long gone.
Releasing Garoppolo May Be San Francisco’s Best Option Right Now
Unless some team makes the Niners an offer they couldn’t refuse, and unless the Niners also offered to take care of part of Garoppolo’s $25.6 million this season, releasing him will be in their best interest.
Owner Jed York said just a few days ago that he’d be “happy to keep” Garoppolo, but doing so would impose salary cap restrictions on his squad.
San Francisco wants to sign star pass rusher Nick Bosa to a contract extension in order to keep its full core intact for at least a few more years, and doing so would be difficult with Garoppolo’s salary still on the books.
Source: #49ers have officially started contract extension talks with DE Nick Bosa.
When a deal is finalized, expectations are Bosa will be the 2nd #NFL defensive player to get a contract paying $30M+ per year. #Niners pic.twitter.com/fLU5xt9Edz
— 49ers & NFL News 24/7 (@49ersSportsTalk) July 17, 2022
On the other hand, if the team could afford to do so, and if he would accept such a role, keeping Garoppolo would give it an outstanding insurance policy in case something were to happen to new starter Trey Lance.
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