Getty Jimmy Garoppolo and new 49ers quarterbacks coach Brian Griese before the September 11, 2022 road game in Chicago to open the season.
Here we go again with Jimmy Garoppolo.
Even with his restructured contract, which is supposed to keep him with the San Francisco 49ers for one more year, Jimmy G. is the subject of trade rumors once again.
Now one analyst and former NFL linebacker has offered a suggestion for a suddenly QB-needy team.
“Jerry Jones just said Dak Prescott is out several weeks and needs surgery … Cowboys, go get Jimmy G, immediately,” Emmanuel Acho of Fox Sports 1 tweeted on September 11.
Jerry Jones just said Dak Prescott is out several weeks and needs surgery…
#Cowboys, go get Jimmy G, immediately.
Cowboys Missing Solid Backup for Dak Prescott
Not only did the Dallas Cowboys underperform in their 19-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday night, with an inept offensive performance, but they suffered through an unfortunately familiar scene: their $160 million face of the franchise going down with an injury.
About halfway through the fourth quarterback, quarterback Dak Prescott attempted to throw over a charging Shaq Barrett, whose outstretched arms came down on Prescott’s right hand.
Here’s how Dak Prescott injured his hand
After the game, Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones told reporters the news that Cowboy fans were hoping not to hear: Surgery is needed and that Prescott would be out “several weeks.” Jones said the injury is above the thumb and behind the joint.
Jerry Jones tells us Dak Prescott out a few weeks. Injury above joint of his throwing hand. Above the thumb, behind the joint #cowboys
ESPN’s Todd Archer reported that Prescott would miss six to eight weeks. In 2020, Prescott missed the final 11 games of the season with an ankle injury.
Before his injury, Prescott had gone 14-of-29 for 134 yards and one interception. The Cowboys were forced to turn to Cooper Rush, who ended his night completing 7-of-13 passes for 64 yards but was sacked twice.
Rush was the only other active signal caller available from the Cowboys’ active 53-man roster. Beyond Rush, the Cowboys have a quarterback on their practice squad, a 2019 draftee named Will Grier, who has two NFL appearances to his credit.
Could Dallas Take on Garoppolo’s Salary?
Losing Prescott for an extended time would mean Dallas is losing the QB with a $19.7 million cap hit this season. Last year, the Cowboys signed Prescott to a four-year, $160 million deal, including a $66 million in signing bonus, per Spotrac.
Should they make an emergency run at Garoppolo, the Cowboys would have to find a way to take on Garoppolo’s salary. $13.9 million cap hit. Late last month, he and the 49ers restructured the final year of his five-year, $137.5 million deal, lowering his base salary from $24.2 million to $6.5 million. But he still has a $13.9 million cap hit.
Even though the Cowboys have the league’s fourth-best cap space, at $12.5 million, it still isn’t high enough to take on Garappolo’s contract unless the Cowboys cut payroll elsewhere.
Would Fans Welcome the Idea of Jimmy G Embracing the Star?
How would fans feel about Garoppolo wearing the star on his helmet? Some fans questioned Acho’s idea.
“Why would an NFC conference team that most likely would have battled with Dallas for a wild card playoff spot go ahead and fill their now giant roster hole for them?” one fan asked.
Another fan chimed in, blasting the coaching staff, labeling it as the reason Garoppolo could struggle if acquired.
“If Dallas had a competent offensive coaching staff, with talent to elevate their odds, I’d be ten toes down for this. But this offense right now isn’t even close to being a contending unit. If it struggled like this with Dak, Jimmy G sure as hell ain’t solving it,” the fan said.
One fan tweeted about a similar problem Garoppolo shares with Prescott: staying healthy. “That would be phenomenal if the ‘9ers didn’t also need a proven, successful starter in the wings as a ‘back-up QB’. Another issue: Jimmy is a starter with an injury problem…so who will back him up?”
Former NFL defensive back Charles James II offered a different suggestion, tweeting simply: “Cam Newton time.”
Meanwhile, the man who took over Garoppolo’s old job, Trey Lance, struggled in his 2022 season debut and took the brunt of the blame for the 49ers’ offensive struggles in a 19-10 road loss to the Chicago Bears. Lance ended his day with 13-of-28 passing, 164 yards, one interception and no touchdown passes. He led the team in rushing yards with 54 on the drenched Soldier Field grass. Already, there are those who believe that Garoppolo is re-lurking over Lance’s shoulder.
Jimmy G looking at Trey Lance
