It is becoming more and more likely that Jimmy Garoppolo will return as a 49ers starter for the 2021 NFL season, but that hasn’t stopped speculation surrounding the organization potentially looking to upgrade its position this offseason.
ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter joined KNBR’s “Murph & Mac” show on Friday, and went through a series of potential defenders who may be on the move before the next season. Dak Prescott, with whom the Dallas Cowboys has not been able to reach an agreement on a long-term contract extension for several years, was a name that Schefter believes might be suitable for 49ers.
“They could franchise him for $ 37.1 million in a year when the limit was low,” said Schefter. “And then, he can walk. They will try to hire you for a long-term deal, but they have been trying to do this for almost two years and nothing has been done. So what if you are a team like the Niners, any team that needs a quarterback, and you run Dak Prescott.
“Again, is it a long shot? Yes, it’s a long shot. Absolutely. Is he a free agent? Yes, he is. Is there a recipe for something to try to make it happen? Well, there is some kind of path there. “
Prescott had a scorching start in 2020, averaging 371.2 yards with nine touchdowns in five games, before a horrible open fracture and dislocation of his right ankle forced him to miss the rest of the season.
The 27-year-old shot 17,634 yards in 69 NFL games in his career, leading the Cowboys to win seasons in three of his full four years at the center, with the only exception being an 8-8 result in 2019.
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General manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to Garoppolo as a 49ers defender several times in the past year, but were also open about analyzing possible updates on both current NFL teams and recruitment prospects.
Injuries also disrupted Garoppolo’s season in 2020, as he played only six games while battling a persistent ankle sprain.
ESPN’s Marcus Spears said in December that Prescott should try to leave Dallas and mentioned the 49ers as an ideal landing site.
If Prescott were available, a series of teams would line up to ask about his services. Prescott has a rocket arm and was a mobile QB in Dallas’ attack during his first five NFL seasons, running for at least 275 yards in each of his four completed campaigns.
We will see if the Cowboys’ reported desire to place the franchise brand in Prescott for the second consecutive season will materialize, but if QB is available, Lynch and the 49ers front office should at least check with their representative.
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