Jimmy Garoppolo
Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers walks off the field after being defeated by the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship Game at SoFi Stadium on January 30, 2022 in Inglewood, California. The Rams defeated the 49ers 20-17. Christian Petersen/Getty Images

KEY POINTS

  • The 49ers almost completed a deal that shipped Jimmy Garoppolo to the Commanders
  • The Commanders opted for Carson Wentz after Garoppolo underwent a shoulder surgery
  • San Francisco is in need of a backup quarternack for Garoppolo

The San Francisco 49ers may be thanking the stars right now that no NFL trade happened involving Jimmy Garoppolo.

Most know that the 30-year-old had been linked to several teams, but it appears that at least one NFL team had the inside track–the Washington Commander.

According to a report from ESPN, Washington loomed as the likely landing spot for the two-time Super Bowl champion.

However, all that went up in smoke after Garoppolo opted to undergo shoulder surgery.

Like most NFL teams, the Commanders opted to look at somebody else.

Washington eventually opted to sign Carson Wentz instead for play-calling duties.

While other NFL teams such as the Seattle Seahawks and the Carolina Panthers were mentioned as potential trade partners, nothing came to fruition.

Instead, the Niners opted to restructure the contract of Garoppolo during training camp.

The Illinois native ended up settling for a $6.5 million fully guaranteed deal, something that includes a no-trade clause.

Garoppolo will officially become a free agent in 2023, a time when he can choose where he wants to play professional football next.

Furthermore, most know that keeping Garoppolo took off some worries for their end as they lost Trey Lance for the rest of the season after he suffered a foot injury.

Lance already underwent surgery and is currently rehabbing.

The young quarterback is not expected to return until the 2023 NFL season even though there are claims that he could technically return somewhere near the end of the current NFL regular season.

The decision is likely to make sure that Lance returns in full strength and avoid any further health-related issues.

With Garoppolo in tow, it will be interesting how the season will go for the 49ers.

Moreover, head coach Kyle Shanahan and the Niners may have to look for a backup quarterback this season to give Garoppolo a helping hand.

As mentioned in a previous report here on the International Business Times, Shanahan is likely to turn to fullback Kyle Juszczyk as a backup.

There are notable play-callers that the 49ers may consider such as Cam Newton, Colin Kaepernick and Mike Glennon, among others.

Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco
Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images