If you watched Jimmy Garoppolo’s farewell presser, it’s clear that he has played his last game as a member of the 49ers. Where he ends up next season is far less certain.
Oddsmakers have identified a number of teams they think Garoppolo is likely to play for next year, with the leaders being the quarterbackless Steelers, Buccaneers and Washington. All three teams have talented rosters that should be able to make the playoffs with just above-average quarterback play.
Veteran NFL reporter Mike Sando believes there is another team that falls into the same category that is actually a more likely landing spot for Garoppolo.
“I think Indy is a real sleeper team,” Sando said on KNBR Tuesday morning. “I think the Carson Wentz thing didn’t work out for them and I think they could move him, and maybe still get something for him. Garoppolo could make some sense, going to a team that’s already pretty good, that at its best has a good offensive line and might be able to support him with a pretty good defense. Remember he’s going to be part of this too and the [49ers] are going to try to take care of him. That’s the type of team.
“That kind of came to my mind just looking around at these teams that are in a position to win. If they are going to send him to a team that has a chance that really limits it, because most the teams that have a chance have a quarterback that’s at least as good as Garoppolo, or not so much worse that you are going to trade out your guy.”
Sando wouldn’t discount the Steelers as a possibility either, but isn’t sure trading for a QB like Garoppolo fits their style.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if they went with one of their guys, or go via the draft…Do they just go that route because of what they’ve always done?”
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