NFC West: San Francisco 49ers
Jimmy Garoppolo would have to be the overwhelming reason why the 49ers lose in the playoffs for this scenario to play out, but there’s no other situation in the NFC West that even makes a fraction of sense.
In fact, the 49ers really don’t either, but roll with me here for a minute.
This is a title-ready team. If Jimmy Garoppolo proves to be the reason the 49ers can’t get over the hump, why not bring in the guy who has proven he can seal the deal?
Garoppolo’s contract is going to count over $26 million on the 49ers’ cap for 2020, and they can get out of it with just over $4 million in dead money. He’s had a solid season for San Francisco and he’s made plays, but he does have a history of injuries and $26 million-plus is a lot to bank on him repeating the success we saw in 2019.
Do the 49ers mess with the progress they’ve made if they don’t win it all this year? If they are one-and-done in the playoffs, could Jimmy G be the scapegoat?
Again, all NFC West teams are very unlikely, but Brady grew up a 49ers fan in California and before Garoppolo had a great season for San Francisco, this actually was my top potential landing spot if Brady were to leave.