It’s been a big news day in the NFL, and now the rumor mill is churning.
Though there hasn’t been any news on the Jimmy Garoppolo trade front in the wake of Aaron Rodgers staying in Green Bay and Russell Wilson heading to Denver, there are free agency rumblings on the other side of the ball.
San Francisco is reportedly one of four teams that have “legitimate interest” in All-Pro cornerback J.C. Jackson according to Jordan Schultz. Jackson spent the first four seasons of his career with the Patriots before becoming a free agent this season.
Jackson, 26, was named to his first Pro Bowl and as a second team All-Pro in 2021. Jackson started all 16 games with the Patriots, had eight interceptions and was ranked as the seventh best cornerback in the NFL last year according to Pro Football Focus.
Jackson is expected to be the premier cornerback on the open market, and could command a deal worth $20.6 million per year according to Spotrac. The 49ers are extremely thin at corner, and currently enter the offseason with Ambry Thomas and Emmanuel Moseley as their starters.
A successful trade for Garoppolo will open up around $25 million in cap space for the 49ers.