Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
It’s hard to believe that the New England Patriots are content with entering the 2021 season with Cam Newton as their starting quarterback. However, it sounds like Bill Belichick has moved on from San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
According to ESPN’s Jordan Schultz, the Patriots are no longer pursuing Garoppolo, meaning a reunion between the quarterback and his former team may not be in the future—at least, not this season.
#Patriots are not pursuing #49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo, per sources. Cap space isn’t there and obviously Cam Newton will return. Additionally, the draft is flush with QBs. No Jimmy GQ reunion for the Pats in foreseeable future.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 28, 2021
The Patriots had reportedly inquired about Garoppolo before free agency and were told by the 49ers that the quarterback was not available at that time. New England went on to sign Cam Newton.
Circumstances have changed since then. San Francisco has traded up to the No. 3 overall pick and is expected to draft its quarterback of the future. That created some uncertainty when it comes to Garoppolo’s future with the team.
The 49ers’ general manager, John Lynch, recently told NFL Network’s Steve Wyche that Garoppolo remains in their plans for the upcoming season. However, trade inquiries would not be ignored.
“Now, as of now, Lynch said that Garoppolo is very much in the team plans and that the rookie quarterback that they draft could learn under Garoppolo,” Wyche reported. “But then I said to him, ‘Look, though, as we get closer to the draft, and if a team calls, would you entertain that?’ He said, ‘Absolutely.’ And he added that a lot of teams have already been circling, which is why they made this move—to get their quarterback for the future.”
New England could also address its quarterback dilemma in the draft, which may have prompted it to move away from pursuing Garoppolo. Of course, this may be an attempt to lower the asking price for the 49ers quarterback.
Jeff Howe of The Athletic recently reported that NFL teams aren’t buying that Garoppolo remains in the 49ers’ immediate plans.
“[The] Patriots have shown interest in acquiring Garoppolo,” wrote Howe of The Athletic, “and other teams believe the 2014 second-rounder is available or at least will become available once the Niners stop bluffing. The 49ers-Dolphins trade will lead to teams continuing to check on Garoppolo’s availability. … Will [the Patriots] be willing to offer more for Garoppolo to entice the 49ers to pull the trigger? They were planning to monitor Garoppolo’s availability either way.”
More San Francisco 49ers News
Russini: Patriots still ‘sniffing out’ potential trade for 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo
By David Bonilla
Mar 26, 2021
The New England Patriots reportedly inquired about Jimmy Garoppolo before the start of free agency. The San Francisco 49ers told them that the quarterback was not available at that time. That doesn’t mean that Bill Belichick has given up on the idea of a reunion with Garoppolo, his one-time heir apparent to Tom Brady.
The Patriots re-signed Cam Newton after being shut down by the 49ers. Looking to rebound from a seven-win 2020 campaign, they went on a spending spree in free agency. However, many don’t feel that Newton will be New England’s featured piece on offense.
“No, that is not the sense that I am getting around league circles, that Cam
49ers among teams interested in Northwestern QB Peyton Ramsey, per report
By Kirk Larrabee
Mar 16, 2021
The 49ers are among a number of teams showing interest in Northwestern quarterback Peyton Ramsey, according to a tweet from Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.
Wilson tweeted Tuesday morning that the 49ers, Saints, Washington Football Team, Bengals, Vikings, Buccaneers, and Cardinals have all shown interest in Ramsey, according to a league source, and that Ramsey recently had a zoom meeting with the Cardinals.
Ramsey (6-2, 220) threw for 1,733 yards, 12 touchdowns, and eight interceptions for the Wildcats in 2020 after spending three seasons at Indiana University. He led the Wildcats to an 8-2 season and had his most productive game in a 35-24 Citrus Bowl win over
CB Ahkello Witherspoon leaving 49ers for Seahawks, per report
By David Bonilla
Mar 16, 2021
According to Josina Anderson, the Seattle Seahawks are signing San Francisco 49ers cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, who becomes an unrestricted free agent tomorrow. It is reportedly going to receive a one-year deal.
I’m told CB Ahkello Witherspoon is going to “Seattle” per source.— IG: JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 16, 2021
Witherspoon reportedly also received interest from the
Alex Mack expected to sign with 49ers, per report
By Kirk Larrabee
Mar 17, 2021
The San Francisco 49ers appear to be on the verge of finding their next center, as veteran Alex Mack is set to sign a free-agent deal with the team, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media.
Contract terms had not been reported as of 4 a.m. PT, but news of Mack possibly signing with the 49ers doesn’t come as much surprise given the interest he’s shown in returning to the Bay Area.
A native of Los Angeles, Mack attended college at the University of California before being selected in the first round of the NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. Mack, 35, signed with the
