NFL Free Agency rumors: Two frontrunners emerge for Jimmy Garoppolo
The Jimmy Garoppolo market seems to be heating up as the NFL offseason moves forward. After spending five-and-a-half seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, Garoppolo is set to become a free agent.
While he's not Aaron Rodgers or Lamar Jackson, Jimmy G has some interest in a few teams. According to ESPN reporter Jeremy Fowler, the Houston Texans and Atlanta Falcons have emerged as two potential landing spots for Garoppolo.
#Texans and #Falcons are two potential landing spots for Jimmy Garoppolo (@JFowlerESPN).
He is also viewed as the third-best available option at quarterback behind Rodgers and Derek Carr. The 31-year-old is reportedly seeking a $25 million to $30 million contract.
Rumors: Jimmy Garoppolo is expected to be a costly free agent, wanting a deal that matches his ability and his skill, says @JFowlerESPN
He’s viewed as the 3rd best “available” QB behind Rodgers and Carr https://t.co/4ySagvUQd5
While he may not get what he's looking for, Jimmy Garoppolo should get a fair contract. He has a career record of 40-17, a passer rating of 99.6, and has led the 49ers to the Super Bowl as a starter.
He has completed 67.6 percent of passes, 14,289 yards, 87 touchdowns, 42 interceptions, and seven rushing touchdowns.
This past season, he had a big year, proving he can still play good football. Garoppolo was a free agent, but returned to the 49ers on a team-friendly deal and signed a one-year contract with a fully guaranteed base salary of $6.5 million.
The team signed him as their quality backup to Trey Lance and Garoppolo took over in Week 2 when Lance suffered a season-ending ankle injury.
He went 7-3 and looked to lead the 49ers on a Super Bowl run, but suffered a season-ending foot injury in Week 13 vs. the Dolphins.
Why the Houston Texans and Atlanta Falcons could sign Jimmy Garoppolo
Both the Atlanta Falcons and Houston Texans need upgrades at the quarterback position.
Atlanta signed veteran Marcus Mariota last off-season, but he didn't have much success with the team, going 5-8 as the starter. Backup rookie Desmond Ridder played in the last four games as Mariota was benched and went 2-2 as the starter.
The Texans have the second overall pick and could easily draft a quarterback. They went with Davis Mills as their starting quarterback last season as he showed some potential in his rookie season.
Last season, Mills went 3-11-1 as a starter and didn't show much improvement.
If Jimmy Garoppolo joins either team, he could be an upgrade to what they have at the position, but he may not be the long-term answer at the position.