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The 2021 NFL Draft is scheduled for Thursday, but we could see some movement ahead of the 5 p.m. PT start time.
All eyes in the NFL world are on what the San Francisco 49ers will do with their quarterback situation. The Niners hold the No. 3 pick and will likely select a rookie signal-caller to lead the offense for hopefully the next decade-plus.
As soon as general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan made the deal with the Miami Dolphins to move up from No. 12 to No. 3, the speculation has been rampant about incumbent starter Jimmy Garoppolo’s future with the franchise.
Several NFL insiders have said they believe the Niners will try and move Jimmy G in the coming days. Now, Dale Arnold (who calls Boston Bruins games for games on NESN) says a source tells him the New England Patriots are working on restructuring Garoppolo’s deal in hopes of completing a trade with the 49ers.
What I’ve been told, by a reliable source —- @Patriots are working on a new contract for Jimmy G that could lead to a deal with @49ers. Same source who correctly told me Tom Brady had signed with @Buccaneers. Doesn’t mean it will get done, but they’re working on it.
— Dale Arnold (@DaleEArnold) April 28, 2021
As Arnold points out, this doesn’t mean anything is set in stone. New England is one of the teams picking outside of the top 10 that is reportedly looking to acquire a QB.
Of course, head coach Bill Belichick has an affinity for Garoppolo after selecting him in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Garoppolo backed up Tom Brady for 3.5 years before being dealt to San Francisco for a second-round pick during the 2017 season.
Shanahan was less commital about Garoppolo’s future at Monday’s media availability, but he and Lynch did praise the quarterback’s attitude since the trade to acquire the third pick took place. But the chances of Garoppolo being on the roster for Week 1 in September are seemingly decreasing by the day.
Garoppolo missed 10 games due to a nagging high-ankle sprain last year. He completed 67.1 percent of his passes for 1,096 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions.
Garoppolo has two years remaining on his current deal. His 2021 cap hit is currently $26.8 million, and it goes up to $27 million for the 2022 season.
If the Niners don’t trade Garoppolo but decide to cut him before the season, they will have $2.8 million in dead money on the books for next season.