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Ian Rapoport names top three trade partners for Jimmy Garoppolo next offseason

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© Kelley L Cox | 2021 Nov 28

According to Ian Rapoport, Jimmy Garoppolo’s future is basically set in stone.

The NFL Network analyst reported on Sunday that Garoppolo will be traded this offseason — barring a Super Bowl run which is now seeming somewhat possible — and that Trey Lance will enter 2022 as the 49ers’ starting quarterback.

If this is indeed the future, Garoppolo’s improved play should bear fruit for both parties. It is more likely that Garoppolo will find a desirable suitor, and it’s more likely the 49ers will be able to acquire better assets in return.

On KNBR Monday morning, Rapoport name three different places Garoppolo could land.

“As far as possible landing spots, I would say Denver makes sense if they don’t get Aaron Rodgers,” Rapoport said. “Nick Caserio in Houston obviously had Jimmy Garoppolo in New England together, so that would make some sense whenever they trade Deshaun Watson. The New Orleans Saints, [Sean] Payton and Garoppolo are co-alumni, they went to the same school [Eastern Illinois University], and I know Payton likes a smart quarterback who can get rid of the ball fast.

“There’s going to be some other options, but to me those are the ones that jump out.”

Garoppolo was asked about Rapoport’s report after San Francisco’s impressive 34-26 win over the Vikings on Sunday. He said he hadn’t heard about it, but that he appreciated the heads up.

Rapoport believes that the parting will be amicable.

“I’m sure there was some weirdness this year when they drafted his replacement, and I would imagine he wouldn’t mind going someplace where he’s the guy again no questions asked. I think that would be pretty nice.

“So I think a trade would be mutually beneficial. And at the end of this relationship, it will be something were everyone leaves it with good feelings. He will leave it knowing they sent him to a place that he likes because they are not going to send him to a place he doesn’t want to get traded to. And they will end it knowing he took them to a Super Bowl, played well when he played and gave way to someone they believe is their future quarterback.”

Listen to the full interview below. You can listen to every KNBR interview on our podcast page at knbr.com/podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Catch Murph & Mac weekdays from 6 – 10 a.m. on KNBR 104.5 / 680 and streaming live on KNBR.com.