49ers price in potential Browns trade for Jimmy G is sky high
The Cleveland Browns kind of shut down any trade chatter surrounding quarterback Baker Mayfield during GM Andrew Berry’s end-of-season Zoom call.
Berry didn’t exactly pound the table over Mayfield, rather, he reiterated what’s been said about Mayfield all season long, making that he’s tough. Plus, what’s Berry going to say?
Actions speak louder than words. If Mayfield is under center in Week 1, then there you go, however until we get to that point, nothing will surprise me.
I’ve looked at potential replacements, in addition to quarterbacks who could backup and push Mayfield in 2022. However, one family name keeps popping up: Jimmy Garoppolo.
Jimmy G was supposed to be a Brown five years ago, but the fan base was left with the impression that the front office was left asleep at the wheel as Bill Belichick dealt him to the 49ers for a fifth-round pick.
If the Browns were to finally bring Garoppolo to Cleveland, the price would be steep. ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Grossi contends it would take a first-round pick, via TLOD (subscription required).
"“[The cost would be] probably a No. 1. And you, need to balance that, a No. 1 and a seventh, for a three and a five. There’s ways of balancing it, but [the 49ers] definitely want a first-round pick because they traded a first round pick for Trey Lance.”"
Grossi added that San Francisco has been operating with the understanding that they’d be able to recoup the first rounder they used to move up to acquire Lance.
Browns would have to consider injury history
With Garoppolo, there will always be fears over his injury history. He’s showing his own toughness in getting his team to the playoffs while suffering a fractured thumb, in addition to tearing a ligament in the same hand. .
Garoppolo tore his ACL in 2018, and then missed a big chunk of the season in 2020 with a high ankle sprain.
A healthy Garoppolo, of course, went 13-3 during the 2019 season and led the 49ers to the Super Bowl, where they lost to Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.
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Garoppolo, 30, will be in the final year of his contract next season. He’ll be due around $25 million. It’s a hefty sum, but one that will only be on the books for one year. Obviously, the Browns would probably look at extending him if they did make the trade.