Two surprising suitors emerge for QB Jimmy Garoppolo

Jimmy Garoppolo will have a new home in 2023 after seemingly having one foot out of the door in San Francisco for what seems like forever. The only question left to answer is where the veteran will end up. 

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Houston Texans and Atlanta Falcons are "natural fits" for Garoppolo. 

Fowler linked Garoppolo to the Texans, where he would act as a bridge to the quarterback Houston will undoubtedly select with one of their two first-round picks in April's NFL Draft. Meanwhile, Fowler says the Falcons could be an attractive option for Garoppolo, citing Arthur Smith's system in Atlanta, similar to Kyle Shanahan's in San Francisco, as the main reason.  

Much of the offseason buzz regarding quarterbacks has surrounded the futures of Aaron Rodgers and Derek Carr. And make no mistake, Garoppolo is the third option behind those two. Though, as Fowler reminded, Garoppolo will get paid wherever he lands. 

"Garoppolo's going to be costly," Fowler said. "He wants a contract to measure with his skill set and ability."

After it seemed like his time with the 49ers was ending at the start of last season, Garoppolo played the good soldier, restructuring his deal to stick around for the year following Trey Lance's season-ending ankle injury in Week 2. Garoppolo would fall victim to injury himself, breaking his foot in Week 13 against the Miami Dolphins, giving way to the Brock Purdy era. 

Garoppolo will likely have to wait on decisions from Rodgers and Carr before signing a deal and might find himself with one of the teams that miss out on the two stars, like the Las Vegas Raiders or New York Jets. Either way, there will clearly be a robust market for Garoppolo once free agency begins on March 15.