Getty Jimmy Garoppolo of the San Francisco 49ers getting tackled by a Miami Dolphins player.
As the San Francisco 49ers universe woke up to prepare for the team’s pivotal Week 13 game against the Miami Dolphins, fans were greeted with a new report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport on Jimmy Garoppolo.
According to the NFL insider, Garoppolo could not only generate interest on the open market but actually return to the Bay Area in 2023 on a short-term deal for what would be his seventh season under Kyle Shanahan.
“With (Trey) Lance rehabbing and still learning to utilize his immense talents after being out nearly all season, there is a scenario that would lead to Jimmy G back in San Francisco for 2023,” Rapoport wrote on December 4. “While the two sides have yet to discuss options for next year, a short-term deal might make sense for everyone.”
Even if the 49ers are still high on Lance as their long-term option under center, if the 49ers keep winning and make it deep into the playoffs once more, keeping the band together for at least another year might just be worth whatever financial cost the market bares, especially if the feelings are mutual, per Rapoport.
Rapoport Clarifies Miami’s Offseason Interest in Jimmy Garoppolo
Elsewhere in his report, Rapoport discussed the reported interest in Garoppolo from the Miami Dolphins over the offseason. Did Dolphins GM Chris Grier actually attempt to reunite Mike McDaniel with Garoppolo before Tua Tagovailoa‘s ongoing MVP-caliber season?
“With friendly faces in town, including former S.F. assistant coach Mike McDaniel, Garoppolo made some news this week when he said the Dolphins were one of the teams that was a potential landing spot for him this past offseason,” Rapoport wrote. “But there was nothing there, and no offer was made.”
Was the offseason hype linking Garoppolo to Miami purely speculation from fans? Or did the addition of Teddy Bridgewater as an emergency QB2 at the start of free agency ease the need to pursue Garoppolo in any real way? Either way, Garoppolo certainly thinks the feelings were mutual.
The 49ers QB Gives His Side of the Dolphins Story
While Rapoport suggested that “no offer was made” between the 49ers and Dolphins regarding Garoppolo, the quarterback in question disputed that claim, suggesting instead that the connection was very much a reality, as he detailed to reporters during his December 1 press conference.
“Yeah, I mean they were in the conversation,” Garoppolo said. “Not much came from it, but they were definitely one of the teams in the conversation. It seemed like a good spot. As an offense, (they had) tremendous skill players, everything they got going over there. Mike (McDaniel) being a great coach, I had been with him in the past here and it was discussed, but I’m glad the way things worked out.”
Which side is correct? Did the Dolphins have a conversation about landing Garoppolo either as a backup or a challenger for Tagovailoa‘s spot? Or was that all speculation? Only time will tell, but either way, Garoppolo may not need to worry about what could have been, as the 49ers may very well lock him up on a new deal just a few months after he was almost released from the team.