After an offseason filled with drama between the San Francisco 49ers and star wide receiver Deebo Samuel, a huge multi-year extension was agreed to last night.
As a result, it leads to quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo’s inevitable future elsewhere to be determined soon. And for the New York Giants, staying far away is what is undoubtedly best at this time.
First, the 49ers would likely want to get any sort of compensation that they can get for Garoppolo. The Giants should have remotely no interest in giving away any asset, player, or pick for the nine-year veteran.
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Why acquiring Jimmy Garoppolo makes little sense for the New York Giants:
If Garoppolo were to be released, he would get a new salary from the team that signs him. However, if a team ends up trading for him, agreeing to a significantly reduced salary for the 2022 season will be the first hurdle.
On the final year of a five-year deal, Garoppolo has no guaranteed money left until the regular season; hence, why the 49ers still have time to outright release him. Garoppolo has a salary of $25.6 million for this year that the Giants would have to decrease substantially. Per Over The Cap, the Giants currently have $5.4 million in cap space available.
The Giants should save that money and carry it over into 2023, allowing new general manager Joe Schoen to have as much cap space available as possible.
In 2022, the Giants need to see what they have in fourth-year quarterback Daniel Jones. Newly-hired Brian Daboll, a healthy Saquon Barkley, Kadarius Toney, and Kenny Golladay, with rookies Evan Neal and Wan’Dale Robinson, gives Jones a fair opportunity to prove himself.
If Jones squanders, the Giants did invest into 12-year veteran Tyrod Taylor with a two-year deal in free agency. Taylor can fill in as a bridge quarterback with his experience if needed for the Giants in 2022.
Ultimately, while Garoppolo is better than both Jones and Taylor, the value does not make sense for the Giants at this point in time. The goal should be to keep resources available for Schoen to accelerate the progress of this team next offseason.