Jimmy Garoppolo has been headlining a lot of trade rumors recently. Will the 49ers move on from Garoppolo and if so where could he go?
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Garoppolo only played in 6 games this season, and last year was the only season in which he suited up for every game. Garoppolo isn’t bad by any means, but if there is a chance for an upgrade, the 49ers will be sure to take it.
Let’s take a look at some of the possible landing spots for Jimmy Garoppolo if he does in fact get traded.
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Jimmy Garoppolo Possible Trade Destinations:
#1. New England Patriots
Who would have imagined that when the Patriots traded away Garoppolo in 2017, they might have been setting themselves up for brutal quarterback play.
However, that’s exactly what has happened. Cam Newton struggled greatly for the Patriots this season. Newton’s passing numbers include a career low 2,657 yards and 8 touchdown passes.
That is not ideal for a Patriots team who is coming off of 20 years of a pass-first attack. The deficiencies in Newton’s game plagued the Patriots as their offense certainly held the team back.
Of course, nobody is saying that Garoppolo instantly makes this Patriots team a Super Bowl contender, but at least this way the Pats have a viable passing game.
Don’t forget that Garoppolo threw for 3,978 and 27 touchdowns just a year ago. If he can stay healthy, the Pats will have some stability at quarterback.
Aside from Newton, the Patriots other options are Jarret Stidham and Brian Hoyer. Neither of those guys have proven that they can be the answer.
Additionally, Garoppolo also knows the Pats system as he was a member of the team for a while. That will certainly help his acclimation process.
#2. Houston Texans
The Texans are in a turbulent state right now. Deshaun Watson has very explicitly voiced his frustrations with the team showing he definitely wants out.
This sets up an interesting scenario for both teams, should they choose to do business with each other. Right now, the market for Deshaun Watson is high.
Watson is coming off his best season as a starter as he led the league in passing yards and put up career highs in touchdown passes and completion percentage.
However, trading away Watson means uncertainty at the quarterback again for this franchise. Teams would be more than willing to dole out high draft picks for Watson, but how many of those picks will bring back a guaranteed NFL starting quarterback.
Drafting a quarterback is always a risk, no matter how high. Thus, if the Texans were to deal Watson for Garoppolo, they’d be getting back a known commodity.
Garoppolo would either help keep the Texans afloat until they found a long-term answer at the quarterback position, or he may just become that long-term option.
There’s a new era coming up in Houston with front office and coaching changes, and maybe this could be a stepping stone in the right direction (IF Watson does need to be traded).
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#3. Detroit Lions
Matthew Stafford will be gone this offseason. The Lions wasted his career, and simply Stafford has had enough:
Stafford’s departure would tear this Lions franchise up completely. While the Lions have always had consistency at the quarterback position, they’ve never been able to put forward a competitive roster.
With Stafford gone, the Lions would have to start from the ground up. Thus, just like the Texans, why not trade for a quarterback who you know can keep you in games.
Stafford will join a competitive roster in the 49ers while the Lions will either have a temporary piece to help them as they look for a franchise quarterback or he becomes the franchise quarterback.
The Lions have to trade Stafford no matter what, and right now Garoppolo might be the best return they can get.
