Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is likely to draw interest from at least three teams when free agency opens next week, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
The Panthers, Raiders and Texans are all likely to engage with the 49ers quarterback.
“Jimmy Garoppolo, now that Derek Carr has signed with the New Orleans Saints, is the highest-profile free agent quarterback,” Rapoport said. “…Garoppolo is going to have some interested suitors, expect the Las Vegas Raiders to at least take a look at him. What about the Houston Texans if they need someone to keep the seat warm for whatever rookie quarterback they draft? Same situation for the Carolina Panthers. Jimmy Garoppolo is going to be fine.”
Garoppolo has an existing relationship with Raiders coach Josh McDaniels from New England, and a union there would be the most likely spot for the quarterback to remain a starter for more than one season.
As Rapoport notes, the Texans and Panthers will be heavily invested in the quarterback position at the top of the draft, and Garoppolo would more than likely just be a veteran stop-gap option under center until the rookie is ready to take the reins.
Garoppolo was a trade candidate last offseason after San Francisco decided to turn the starting quarterback job over to former first-round pick Trey Lance. However, after Lance suffered a season-ending ankle injury, Garoppolo took over as the team’s starter until he broke his foot against the Dolphins in early December.
Garoppolo went 7–3 as the team’s starter last season, and completed 67.2% of his passes for 2,427 yards and 16 touchdowns to four interceptions.
Brock Purdy took over for Garoppolo and played well in a dire situation for the 49ers. With Purdy under center, the 49ers continued their winning ways in the month of December and well into the postseason before falling to the Eagles in the NFC title game.
