NFL insider repeats: Browns 'never really seemed that interested' in 49ers' Jimmy Garoppolo
If certain rumors and reports are to be believed, either a ruling from NFL appeals officer and former New Jersey Attorney General Peter C. Harvey or a settlement between the league and NFL Players Association regarding the status of Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson could come as soon as Thursday.
Even if the NFL gets its wish and Watson is suspended for an entire year after disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson initially recommended only a six-game ban over allegations of sexual misconduct during massage sessions, it appears the Browns won't be pursuing San Francisco 49ers veteran Jimmy Garoppolo anytime soon.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport claimed earlier this week that he doesn't "get the sense that the Browns are that interested" in acquiring Garoppolo and the $24.2 million base salary he's owed for 2022 per the terms of his current contract. Rapoport repeated that take while speaking with CBS Sports' Zach Gelb, who was filling in as a guest host for the "Maggie and Perloff" show on Wednesday.
"They've never really seemed that interested," Rapoport said of the Browns possibly landing Garoppolo.
As things stand today, backup Jacoby Brissett is taking first-team reps in Cleveland practices and will start any games Watson misses because of a suspension.
"They have Jacoby Brissett," Rapoport continued. "They're paying a lot of money for Deshaun Watson. Do they want to give another $20 million for a quarterback of marginal improvement to make a deal?
"I know it's something a lot of people have talked about, but I just have never gotten the sense that's even something honestly that's remotely possible."
Gelb then suggested Garoppolo gives the Browns a better chance to win games this fall than Brissett even though Jimmy G is still recovering from March shoulder surgery.
"Does he though? I don't know," Rapoport responded. Rapoport also remarked that Brissett has been learning the Browns' offense since springtime workouts, while Garoppolo would be coming in as a stranger who likely wouldn't be ready to start at least the Week 1 game at the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 11.
As Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio and others continue to point out, Garoppolo's money is not guaranteed, so the Niners will almost certainly release him this summer if they can't find a trade partner by Week 1. It's unclear if the Browns would look to sign Garoppolo at a discounted price if he hits the open market and if Watson is made ineligible to play for the entire campaign.
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