Jimmy Garoppolo was apparently this close to playing in the nation’s capital for the 2022 season.
The 49ers nearly struck a deal with the Commanders at the NFL combine earlier this year, which would have sent the 30-year-old quarterback to D.C. The arraignment fell through, however, after Garoppolo opted for shoulder surgery, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Sunday.
When Garoppolo went under the knife, Washington changed course and traded multiple draft picks to the Colts in March for veteran quarterback Carson Wentz instead. The Colts were also interested in Garoppolo, NFL Network reported Sunday, before they acquired Matt Ryan from the Falcons.
Looking back, the non-trade turned out to be a blessing for the 49ers after their starting quarterback, Trey Lance, fractured his fibula in a Week 2 and underwent season-ending surgery. Garoppolo is now back in the saddle for San Francisco after re-working a one-year deal with the team in August.
“Everything happens for a reason,” Garoppolo told reporters Thursday. “I’m a big believer in that, and it’s just another opportunity.”
Brock Purdy, a seventh-round pick out of Iowa State in this year’s NFL Draft, has been elevated to the backup spot with Lance hurt.
The 49ers will visit the Broncos in a “Sunday Night Football” showdown in Week 3.
