The 49ers seem willing to pay a price this off-season to acquire a reserve quarterback.
And if the 49ers were serious about an agreement to acquire Sam Darnold from the New York Jets, it would certainly come at a cost.
There is no evidence that the 49ers was involved in commercial negotiations with Jets, but it is easy to see Darnold’s fascination.
He was the third overall choice in the 2018 draft, and his value is low after three seasons in which he had little chance of succeeding with a lack of organizational support and a terrible roster of offensive players around him.
Furthermore, Darnold is not likely to have a future with the Jets.
The Jets retain the general choice number 2 in the draft. The logical move is for the Robert Saleh era to start with Zach Wilson appointed as the quarterback of the team’s franchise.
In the meantime, 49ers are unlikely to leave Garoppolo unless they believe they can do an immediate upgrade.
There are many unknowns with Darnold, who can hardly be considered safer than Garoppolo.
At least with Garoppolo, the only question is whether he can remain healthy and available year after year after year.
The only time Garoppolo was able to spend a full season, the 49ers advanced to the Super Bowl.
Darnold’s cost is not so much dollars – at least not in 2021 – but the price it can cost to acquire it.
He is not worth the general choice No. 12. And the choice of the second round of the 49ers in 43rd place overall also seems like a high price.
Darnold has an affordable price of $ 4.77 million in wages and bonuses for the 2021 season. This is more than reasonable for a backup.
But where things get complicated is beyond this season. A decision must be made on a fifth-year option for Darnold in early May.
The fifth year option would give Darnold a fully guaranteed salary of $ 18.858 million for the 2022 season. Based on his first three seasons, there is no way that any team’s smart move will guarantee Darnold that money.
Therefore, he is practically sure to be a free agent in 2022.
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Garoppolo has two years left on his contract with salaries and bonuses totaling $ 25.5 million in 2021 and $ 25.6 million in 2022.
Again, all the signs continue to point to Garoppolo being the 49ers’ starting defender this year.
But it is also clear that he wants to stay on the pitch and deliver. For 49ers, it is not so much about giving competition to Garoppolo, but about having a reserve capable of winning many games if the titleholder is not available for a long period.
Is the cost of an insurance policy worth it when 49ers should write an immediate starter that would be under contract for four years at a controlled cost?
After all, 49ers may have to give up a choice in the second round for a player with a contract for just one season and who – if things go according to plan – would never go on the pitch during that year.
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