The 49ers are insisting they retain Jimmy Garoppolo, presumably to start this season, while quarterback San Francisco picks third place in the 2021 draft in the 2021 draft.
The problem: Garoppolo has a cut of $ 26.4 million for 2021, and there is no telling whether he will stay healthy – a problem for him in the past – or how receptive he will be to the new normal in San Francisco, which more or less calls for the 29-year-old to be a crippled QB.
As such, the Niners want to consider other bridge quarterback options that are cheaper and possibly more willing to keep the seat warm. For example, Teddy Bridgewater, who is reportedly available for trade now that the Carolina Panthers acquired Sam Darnold from the New York Jets earlier this week.
In theory, if San Francisco chooses the path, it could open the door for Garoppolo to rejoin the New England Patriots, a hypothetical reunion that took place out of season.
‘There’s still a way to do it where you dump Garoppolo and his $ 25 million, you get Teddy Bridgewater and you pay him $ 12 (million), and it’s easier for Bridgewater, I say, to be short-term. , he starts- until the rookie is ready (quarterback) runs the risk that Garoppolo will be healthy and effective and that you have a problem in the locker room, “Mike Florio, NBC Sports, said on Tuesday on ‘ProFootballTalk’ from QB in San Francisco said. Mystery. “You will not have a problem in the locker room when Garoppolo is gone, Bridgewater comes into the task and knows what his role is. It’s easier to pull it off than you (49ers head coach) Kyle “Shanahan is, and it’s 50 cents on the dollar compared to the $ 25 million that Garoppolo is supposed to earn if you can get Teddy to take $ 12 (million).”
Ilan Rapoport of NFL Media reported earlier this week, citing sources, that the Panthers are open to Bridgewater who will return in 2021, even after acquiring Darnold, but that they have given him the opportunity to talk to teams about possible to facilitate a trade. Bridgewater, 28, is carrying nearly a $ 23 million cut for 2021, a hefty price for Carolina to pay a backup despite any questions regarding Darnold.
Even if Bridgewater does not land with San Francisco, the effects of a trade in the Bay Area can be felt. There will be one more quarterback available, and whatever return package Carolina picks for veteran QB could affect Garoppolo’s value in the trade market.
Clearly, the juiciest scenario involves Bridgewater joining the 49ers, and in turn paving the way for Garoppolo’s return to New England, where the second round in 2014 spent three plus seasons as Tom Brady’s backup. The Patriots recently re-signed Cam Newton, but that hardly prevents them from adding another quarter via trade, free agency or the upcoming NFL draft.
The NFL’s QB carousel is slowing down a bit, as guys are finding new homes and the first few appearances of this month’s draft seem to be taking shape. But San Francisco, Carolina and New England are still very much on the ride, with all three situations somehow, shape or form, intertwined.
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