On the eve of the 49ers’ preseason opener, the quarterback who closed out his last press conference six months ago with a farewell message to reporters and fans is still on the team’s roster.
Jimmy Garoppolo won’t play against the Packers on Friday –he may not even be at Levi’s Stadium– but it’s possible the 30-year-old signal-caller could be back on the field soon.
With Trey Lance preparing to go under center against Green Bay, here are three factors that could lead to the long-awaited resolution between the 49ers and Garoppolo that could finally send the former starter elsewhere.
1. Deshaun Watson’s suspension
As the Browns brace for Deshaun Watson’s current six-game suspension to be extended upon an appeal, Cleveland is likely evaluating options for a variety of scenarios including one that would keep Watson out for the duration of the 2022 season.
The Browns announced Watson is slated to start Friday’s preseason opener against Jacksonville, but there’s speculation league commissioner Roger Goodell wants the updated suspension announced before Watson takes the field.
Cleveland has publicly committed to tabbing Watson’s backup, Jacoby Brissett, to start during Watson’s absence, yet it seems unlikely a Browns team that has its sights set on a playoff berth would push forward with Brissett when a more accomplished option is available.
On Thursday, Cleveland.com reported the Browns will consider acquiring Garoppolo if and when Watson’s suspension is extended.
Whether Cleveland is comfortable parting with a draft pick for Garoppolo –or paying his $24 million-plus salary– remains to be seen, but an extension of Watson’s suspension appears to be the quickest and most likely path to Garoppolo finding a new home.
2. Concerns about Matthew Stafford’s elbow
The Rams have one of the most aggressive front offices in the league and are determined to avoid a Super Bowl hangover.
Los Angeles general manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay have all the personnel in place to challenge for another Lombardi Trophy, but in recent days, there’s been concern over the health of quarterback Matt Stafford’s throwing elbow. Stafford has done his best to quiet any fear with his public comments, but McVay said the elbow injury is a “tricky deal,” “abnormal for a quarterback” and similar to the type of pain a pitcher deals with.
If the 49ers release Garoppolo, which likely wouldn’t happen until the end of August, would the Rams be interested? At a significantly reduced salary, Garoppolo could become a prime insurance option for a Los Angeles team that doesn’t want its title hopes derailed by any injuries that could hold Stafford out or limit the starting quarterback’s ability to run the offense.
3. The Seahawks’ preseason slate is about to begin
The Seahawks can’t be serious, can they?
Adamant that Drew Lock and Geno Smith will be able to replace Russell Wilson, the Seahawks appear content to finish in fourth place in the NFC West and cash in by drafting a quarterback in the first round of next year’s NFL Draft.
If the Seahawks, who open the preseason Saturday against Pittsburgh, recognize that neither Lock nor Smith is well-equipped to lead their offense, it’s possible Pete Carroll and GM John Schneider could pursue Garoppolo if the 49ers choose to release the signal-caller at the end of the month.
The Seahawks sound optimistic that Lock and Smith are up to the task, but Garoppolo is clearly a superior option and Seattle may end up pursuing the veteran if he hits the open market.
Other situations to watch
–Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles announced Thursday that Tom Brady would be taking a leave of absence from the team ‘to deal with some personal things’ and won’t return until after the Bucs’ second preseason game. If Brady’s leave must be extended, Tampa Bay could become a potential destination for Brady’s former backup, Garoppolo.
–Much like the Seahawks, the Steelers and Falcons have been questioned for their approach to the quarterback position this offseason. If Mitch Trubisky and Kenny Pickett struggle in Pittsburgh or Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ridder fail to take control of the offense in Atlanta, those teams could be looking at external options such as Garoppolo in the near future.
–With preseason games starting, any team with playoff hopes that deals with a significant injury at the quarterback position will immediately be viewed as a possible landing spot for Garoppolo.
