Jimmy Garoppolo Trade Rumors: Exec Thinks 1st for 49ers QB Is 'Extremely Far-Fetched'

At least one NFL executive does not envision the San Francisco 49ers landing a first-round pick in a trade involving quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

According to Mike Sando of The Athletic, the exec called it "extremely far-fetched" to think the 49ers could get a first-rounder for Garoppolo.

The executive added, "Clearing the decks for Trey Lance will be their top priority," meaning the expectation is Jimmy G will be traded even if the 49ers don't get a first-round selection in return.

When the 49ers used the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft on Lance, it seemed likely that Garoppolo was not long for the franchise, especially since he is only signed through 2022.

San Francisco did stick with Jimmy G as the starting quarterback throughout the 2021 season, though, and he posted a 9-6 record as the starter to lead the 49ers to the playoffs.

Garoppolo also posted two playoff wins and got the 49ers to the NFC Championship Game for the second time in three seasons, but they fell to the eventual Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams.

During the 2021 regular season, Garoppolo completed 68.3 percent of his passes for 3,810 yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. That marked the second-best production of his career behind the 2019 campaign, when he went 13-3 and completed 69.1 percent of his passes for 3,978 yards, 27 touchdowns and 13 picks.

The 2019 and 2021 campaigns are the only ones in which Garoppolo has played in more than six games, and both of those seasons were highly successful for the team, as the Niners reached the Super Bowl and NFC Championship Game, respectively.

Even with a 4-2 record in the playoffs, however, Garoppolo's postseason play leaves plenty to be desired.

Overall, he has completed 60.6 percent of his playoff passes for 962 yards, four touchdowns and six picks. That includes two interceptions in a Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and one interception in each of the Niners' three playoff games last season.

While it is difficult to argue with the team success the 49ers have enjoyed when Garoppolo has been healthy, there is no question that they leaned heavily on their running game and defense.

Garoppolo has obvious deficiencies in terms of his on-field play and durability, but the wins could be enough to convince some teams to give San Francisco a decent return, even if it doesn't include a first-round pick.

One thing working in the 49ers' favor is the fact that many teams are in desperate need of a starting quarterback for 2022, and they may not be able to find one in the draft because of the perception that it is a weak class for quarterbacks.

Among the teams who still need a starting signal-caller are the Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts, Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers.

One thing those teams have to be wary of if they do trade for Garoppolo is the fact that he has a shoulder injury requiring surgery, which is expected to keep him out until the summer.

That, coupled with his lengthy history of other injuries, could be one of the biggest deterrents of teams surrendering a high pick in exchange for Jimmy G.