Quarterback speculation has taken over the Super Bowl LV, and the 49ers are right in the middle of it.
A year after Jimmy Garoppolo helped bring the 49ers to the Super Bowl, San Francisco may be looking for another direction in the position. This off-season is expected to cause an unprecedented amount of QBs to find new homes, and Garoppolo may be one of them. The 49ers are still eyeing what is seen as the biggest prize in the commercial market at the moment.
“I can say that the 49ers, the Panthers (are) among the teams very interested in Deshaun Watson, as well as the Jets,” said Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports on Sunday in the Super Bowl pre-match program.
Watson made it clear that he wants to leave Houston during this off-season. However, Texans still tell teams that they will not negotiate with the star quarterback. In addition, they understandably want a king’s ransom for the 25-year-old man.
Texans supposedly would want at least first two, two seconds and two young beginners in defense in a Watson exchange.
If the 49ers think this is too much, Kyle Shanahan likes another young QB who will soon be available.
“Sources told me that 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan (is) very interested in Sam Darnold,” said La Canfora. “If that is compatible, follow me here, the 49ers would negotiate with Jimmy Garoppolo, and sources say that Bill Belichick would love to have a Jimmy G meeting in New England.”
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Sunday morning that several teams have contacted him about a possible switch to Darnold, and the Jets are not refusing the calls while they are still deciding on the future of their QB. Former 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh is now the Jets’ coach, and the two sides can negotiate to take Darnold to Santa Clara.
Darnold is far from great in his first three years in the league. Former No. 3 chosen in the 2018 NFL Draft completed just 59.8% of his passes, resulting in 45 touchdowns and 39 interceptions. But he is six years younger than Garoppolo and much cheaper. His contract costs just $ 4.7 million next season, which would help 49ers sign other players.
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Shanahan may well feel that Darnold may still be a franchise quarterback in the right system, especially with weapons like George Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel to launch. A Jimmy G meeting in New England is not very easy, but never say never.
A lot can happen in the next month or more. These rumors are not going to go away anytime soon. The stove is starting to heat up.
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