2. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers can’t fool anyone. They will move on from Jimmy Garoppolo as soon as they can, and it could still happen this offseason.
Like @diannaESPN reported today - we still see the #Patriots doing what they can to get Jimmy G from the #49ers and then San Fran landing Sam Darnold from the #Jets.
— uSTADIUM App (@uSTADIUM) March 26, 2021
But let’s start down a path where the 49ers keep Garoppolo. Or they trade him and get Sam Darnold, as outlined above, but Darnold doesn’t take the necessary step in his development with a much-needed change of scenery. Barring drafting a quarterback this year, that would put them back in the market for a quarterback next offseason. Will Kirk Cousins, who head coach Kyle Shanahan may love to have, be available?
Rodgers is a native of Northern California, and he went to school at Cal-Berkeley. The 49ers’ regime that passed on him and took Alex Smith No. 1 overall in the 2005 draft is long gone, so any animosity there should be long gone too.
Shanahan putting his offense in the hands of a high-end quarterback is a scary thought for defenses that would face the 49ers. Rodgers may like the idea of finishing his career back near home, and the 49ers would surely jump at the chance to get him if it would fit.