San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) on the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
SANTA CLARA — Jimmy Garoppolo is a month away from becoming arguably the NFL’s most eligible … quarterback.
Who’d want a 31-year-old, crutch magnet with his injury history? Those seeking a veteran who’s won 70 percent of his starts.
Plenty of teams will come calling March 13, when he enters free agency for the first time in his charmed yet cursed career.
He and the 49ers, at last check, are on the outs after five-plus years together. Coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday he can’t envision a scenario Garoppolo stays, even with health concerns swirling around Brock Purdy’s throwing arm and Trey Lance’s twice-repaired ankle.
Sure, Shanahan could have voiced his appreciation for Garoppolo’s 42 wins in 61 games, or he could have railed against Jimmy G for being hurt when they needed a rescue in the NFC Championship Game. Bygones, at this point.
A year ago, Garoppolo opted for shoulder surgery, killing his market value and keeping him with the 49ers, for whom he played the best ball of his career before a left-foot fracture ended that Dec. 4.
Where does he suit up next? Here is what looks most appealing about potential suitors:
1. MIAMI DOLPHINS
Coach Mike McDaniel knows Garoppolo’s strengths and weaknesses better than anyone outside of Shanahan. The Dolphins need a top-notch quarterback, and Garoppolo would bring valuable playoff experience, which they sorely lacked in their wild-card loss. Tua Tagovailoa’s concussion history means Miami must have a better contingency plan. A lot of ex-49ers await in Miami, where Garoppolo would sparkle amid South Beach’s glamour.
2. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
Coach Josh McDaniels doesn’t have time to spare to coach up an unfamiliar quarterback, and while that might keep Jarrett Stidham in Derek Carr’s old job, Garoppolo broke into the NFL with McDaniels as a Patriots’ assistant. Or the Raiders push their chips in and barter for Aaron Rodgers, after already luring Davante Adams out of Green Bay a year ago. A Garoppolo-Stidham stable seems more likely than Rodgers’ arrival.
3. NEW YORK JETS
It could be all gas, no brake back to the AFC East, where Garoppolo spent his first 3 ½ seasons, as Tom Brady’s backup. Coach Robert Saleh, the 49ers’ defensive coordinator 2017-19, offers familiarity, and new offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett should offer west-coast concepts Garoppolo knows. He shouldn’t be too challenged by Zach Wilson, who got drafted No. 2 in 2021, one spot Lance went to the 49ers.
4. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
This franchise just can’t get its quarterback situation settled, and after looking into Garoppolo a year ago, coach Ron Rivera might want a do-over. Washington emerged as a contender this season with its run game and defensive front, a go-to combination with Garoppolo at QB, instead of Taylor Heinicke and Carson Wentz. The Commanders’ ownership situation might spook Garoppolo, as he surely learned from Shanahan in their 2019 Mud Bowl win there.
5. HOUSTON TEXANS
Yes, another ex-49ers assistant has a coaching job and a need at quarterback. DeMeco Ryans may want the No. 2 overall draft pick for a young quarterback, and, if so, a long-term deal would be unlikely for Garoppolo. But if his market is slow, a lucrative short-term offer might suffice. General manager Nick Caserio’s tenure in the Patriots’ front office overlapped with Garoppolo, a 2014 second-round pick. The Texans’ talent is thin and might remind Garoppolo of what he walked into with the 49ers in his 2017 trade.
6. CAROLINA PANTHERS
New coach Frank Reich wants quarterback stability, and that could mean bringing in Garoppolo as a plug-and-play veteran, even if they use their No. 9 pick to draft a young quarterback. General manager Scott Fitterer used to be in Seattle so he knows Garoppolo’s game. Reich has a history of employing physical pocket passers, and the supporting cast needs upgrading.
7. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Do they really re-sign Geno Smith? A $30 million annual deal for him would equate to $10 million for each time he lost to the 49ers last season. Garoppolo might be had for a comparable cost, and he has a better track record against the NFC West, including an 8-0 mark against the Rams in regular-season action.
8. TENNESSEE TITANS
Ran Carthon just left the 49ers front office to become the Titans’ general manager, and perhaps he wastes no time jettisoning Ryan Tannehill in favor of a quarterback he knows first-hand: Garoppolo. Before Purdy’s injury, it made sense for Carthon to try to trade for Lance, who’s now embedded again as the 49ers’ QB1 because, well, he’s their only near-healthy option. Coach Mike Vrabel’s football-minded competitive drive – and the Titans’ run-oriented offense — would mesh well with Garoppolo.
9. TAMPA BAY BUCS
Another NFC South team? Look, maybe Garoppolo is destined to replace Tom Brady (see: New England 2014-17). The Bucs reached the postseason the past three seasons, so perhaps Brady engrained enough in them to keep making runs. A 35-7 loss at the 49ers in December suggested otherwise. The Bucs are in salary cap hell and don’t figure to spend wildly to bring in Garoppolo or other talent.
10. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Derek Carr might beat Garoppolo to the Big Easy first to reunite with ex-Raiders coach Dennis Allen, whose iffy job security is not inspiring. New Orleans should have signed Garoppolo a year ago rather than go with Andy Dalton and Jameis Winston. The Superdome hosted one of Garoppolo’s best games (349 yards, four touchdowns) in the 49ers’ victorious 2019 visit.
OTHER OPTIONS
The Indianapolis Colts need a quarterback, a coach and much more to revive their Jonathan Taylor-led rushing attack. … The Atlanta Falcons’ Arthur Smith finished his second season by benching Marcus Mariota for Desmond Ridder, and that didn’t snap a five-year playoff drought. … If Lamar Jackson stubbornly bolts the Baltimore Ravens, Garoppolo be a smart play for coach John Harbaugh and whoever replaces Greg Roman as offensive coordinator.
Originally published at Cam Inman