With the number of quarterback-needing teams dwindling and Jimmy Garoppolo recently having shoulder surgery, it probably makes sense for the 49ers to lower their asking price for the veteran quarterback.
However, that doesn't seem to be happening.
On Monday, Tom Pelicero of NFL Media went on "Good Morning Football" and told host Kay Adams that the 49ers are looking for even more than the second-round draft pick they left in 2017 to get Garoppolo. .
After a wild week of trades, extensions and an unretirement, a look at where the QB market stands hours before the NFL’s free-agent negotiating window opens on @gmfb @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/n9NG5SagNK
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 14, 2022
"Now, he's coming out of shoulder surgery," Pelicero said. "Clearing isn't going to happen until right around the start of the training camp. Price [is] a second round pick at Garoppolo and more likely. There have certainly been talks. Several teams have taken interest there but for now Haven't done anything till now."
With Tom Brady coming out of retirement on Sunday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers no longer need a quarterback. The Denver Broncos traded for Russell Wilson, the Washington Commanders rolled the dice on Carson Wentz and now Deshan Watson is reportedly set to meet with the Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints and other teams this week as the Houston Texans star quarterback want to do business. A grand jury declined to indict Watson last week.
The Saints, Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers and potentially the Seattle Seahawks are the five teams currently in need of a starting quarterback, although the Seahawks acquired Drew Locke in the Wilson trade.
The Colts mean a lot to Garoppolo. Indianapolis has a roster now built to win and Garoppolo reportedly has an interested leadership of the Colts after his unsuccessful year with Wentz. The Colts were able to obtain two third-round picks in exchange for Wentz, but it is unclear whether they would be interested in giving more second-round picks to Garoppolo.
Garoppolo underwent surgery on his shoulder last Tuesday and is expected to throw again in late June or early July.
Teams want to see Garoppolo thrown in before signing a trade, meaning the situation could drag on for a few months.
An NFL evaluator told Mike Sandow of The Athletic that the 49ers may try to keep Garoppolo in training camp and try to get more draft capital from a team in dire need of a starter.
"There's going to be one or two teams that don't have anyone going to camp, and if you're San Francisco, you might get one for Jimmy if you wait until camp, especially if with no one else." Something happens," the appraiser told Sandow.
However, the idea of the 49ers getting a first-round pick for Garoppolo seems unlikely.
As teams fill their quarterback needs through trade, free agency or the draft, chances are the 49ers will be forced to lower their asking price. In this situation they have little advantage. Teams know they want to move on to Trey Lance. While general manager John Lynch said San Francisco has budgeted to bring back Garoppolo, it's unlikely the 49ers will want to find themselves next season.
Eventually, the 49ers just have to take what they can get or they risk being forced to bite Garoppolo and lose him for nothing.