Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Insider links surprising AFC team to Jimmy Garoppolo

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated Feb 4, 2023 8:47 AM ET

Although Ryan Tannehill is under contract for 2023, it’s still not clear if he will be the Tennessee Titans starting quarterback in 2023.

And with new general manager Ran Carthon having ties to the San Francisco 49ers, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport believes the first-year GM could bring in a QB he knows and trusts.

“I’m not so sure [Malik Willis starts if Tannehill is gone],” Rapoport said Thursday on “The Pat McAfee Show.” “Let’s say with Tannehill they do decide to trade him or cut him — I don’t even know. If they decide he’s not the starter, Ran Carthon came from San Francisco…Jimmy G might be a possibility.”

Carthon spent six seasons in San Francisco, serving as the director of pro personnel in 2017 when the 49ers traded for Garoppolo from the New England Patriots.

The 31-year-old QB compiled a 31-14 record as SF’s starter, throwing for 13,599 yards, 82 touchdowns and 42 interceptions while leading the 49ers to an NFC West title, two NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl appearance during his tenure.

“[Garoppolo’s] not going to be crazy, crazy expensive,” Rapoport added. “I do think he’ll be attractive, and I do think he’ll be a starter.”

Ran Carthon said it's not fair to give an assessment of Ryan Tannehill at this time. Said he knows it's a QB driven league and people get hired/fired every day based on that. Carthon will give more of an evaluation with time.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) January 20, 2023

The 34-year-old Tannehill missed five games in 2022 due to an ankle injury. He won 30 of the 43 games he started in Tennessee, passing for 12,831 yards, 89 touchdowns and 33 interceptions. He led the Titans to the playoffs in three of his four seasons, clinching the AFC’s No. 1 seed in 2021 and reaching the AFC Championship Game in 2019.

Tannehill has one more year left on his contract with a $36.6 million cap hit, according to Over the Cap. If the Titans cut him before June 1, they would absorb $18.8 million in dead money but save $17.8 million. If Tannehill is cut after June 1, it would cost Tennessee $9.6 million in dead money but save $27 million against the cap.

Michael Gallagher

Michael Gallagher is a longtime sports journalist based out of Nashville with a decade of experience covering college football, mixed martial arts and prep sports plus the NFL and NHL — specifically the Tennessee Titans and Nashville Predators. He’s covered several notable sporting events including an AFC Championship game, a Stanley Cup Final, an NHL All-Star Game and an NHL Stadium Series. Some of his past bylines can be found at the Nashville Scene, SB Nation, The Hockey News and Fox Sports Knoxville

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