CLEVELAND—
From Chris (@Chris_PR_13):
Chris, this is, of course, the $25 million question—and it starts with the $25 million I’d say Jimmy Garoppolo almost certainly won’t see in 2022 and the Niners being committed to Trey Lance. To facilitate a trade, Garoppolo’s going to have to play ball with another team (and in doing so, the Niners) and negotiate that number down. His leverage would be refusing to do so to try to hasten his release. The risk in doing that, conversely, would be the Niners hold on to his rights until Labor Day, and make it harder for him to find a place where he could get on the field.
That’s why, at this point, it makes sense for the Niners and Garoppolo to work together.
I’d say the next three weeks are critical. Garoppolo will likely be cleared to practice in full during that time. The hope for both the Niners and the quarterback, in the interim, would be that something materially changes with a quarterback situation elsewhere, creating a need that might not exist now (be it through injury or disappointing camp play). And, in turn, a viable trade partner with a starting job for Garoppolo.
Could that happen in Atlanta or Seattle? Sure, it could, and an injury could happen anywhere. Will it? No one knows for sure. So, for now, hope seems to be the plan for the Niners and Garoppolo. And if it doesn’t work out, I’d think the Niners would eventually grant Garoppolo his release, which would help the team create some room to do deals for stars like Deebo Samuel (if he’s willing) or Nick Bosa (if he and the team are ready for that).
