Jimmy Garoppolo Could Struggle to Find a Suitor in Free Agency
The Jimmy Garoppolo Era with the 49ers is over.
Never again will he don the red and gold uniform. This was thought to be the case last year as well when the 49ers were trying to trade him, but this time around it looks like a sure thing. It became clear that his tenure was over when Kyle Shanahan, with such conviction, said at his exit press conference that he doesn't see "any scenario" where Garoppolo could be re-signed.
The 49ers will turn the page and finally move on from him with Brock Purdy and Trey Lance set to duel it out for the starting spot. But Shanahan's comments got me thinking about Garoppolo's market. Last year, the 49ers could not find a suitor because of his injury and potential cost the 49ers were asking. Now that he is a free agent, I think he could find it being the same as last year where he struggles to find a suitor.
Garoppolo is once again on the mend from an injury. And while a broken foot isn't the same severity as the torn ligaments and shoulder sprain he experienced with his throwing shoulder, he is still going to be a red flag in free agency. Any team considering signing him has to acknowledge that 2022 is yet another year that he wasn't able to finish due to injury. This is who he is. Whether he is fragile or just a product of bad luck, the reality is that he gets injured and will more likely than not miss games.
A team signing up for that sounds crazy. Garoppolo finding anything more than a one-year deal feels strongly unlikely. Who in their right mind would sign Garoppolo long-term knowing his history? Plus, there is a case to be made that Purdy hurt Garoppolo's market. As soon as Purdy took over as the starter for the 49ers, the offense took a massive step forward. Their passing attack came alive for the first time under Shanahan and ended up scoring eight more points per game with Purdy.
Garoppolo's stock is once again at a low.
His injury and being completely outplayed by Purdy aren't the only factors. There are several other quarterbacks hitting free agency or the trade market who will diminish his worth. Derek Carr is sure to be the most coveted free agent once the Raiders release him. Then there is Geno Smith, Daniel Jones, Jacoby Brissett, Baker Mayfield, and Andy Dalton who thicken the free agency market.
From a trade market standpoint, there is always Aaron Rodgers who is floated out there and it looks like Lamar Jackson could be sent off of the Ravens once he is franchise tagged. There are so many components that will make finding a suitor in free agency for Garoppolo extremely difficult. The only way he can find a deal from the jump is if he is okay with signing a cheap deal that can be boosted with playing incentives. Even teams who are familiar with him like the Raiders with Josh McDaniels, his former offensive coordinator in New England, are no lock to sign him.
It is going to be very revealing with how free agency plays out for Garoppolo.
