No rush for new Garoppolo contract
SANTA CLARA » Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo’s stellar start to his 49ers career hasn’t sped up the process for a new contract, with coach Kyle Shanahan saying Monday he doesn’t expect anything to be finalized until after the end of the regular season.
In two-plus games, Garoppolo has no doubt lit a fire under the 49ers as he’s completed 48 of 72 passes for 645 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He’s led San Francisco to wins over Chicago and Houston, the first time the team has captured consecutive games since the 2014 season.
Shanahan had previously talked about using the franchise tag on Garoppolo for next season to perhaps evaluate him for another year before the organization decides whether to award him with a long-term contract.
Asked if Garoppolo’s play has changed that mindset, Shanahan said, “For me personally, it doesn’t impact anything. That what I was trying to explain and (what) I thought was so neat about the situation. I didn’t feel that because of that option that we had to see something here or there and we had to do all this stuff.
“It’s (allowed) us to try and do things the right way … not putting all the pressure on him where he has to show something. Obviously, we’re very encouraged with how these two games have been. We’ll see what happens here in the offseason when we get together and assess everything. But I definitely don’t think that’s something that he’s thinking about at this point, and it’s definitely not something I’m thinking about either.”
According to overthecap.com, the 49ers are projected to have a league-best $116 million in salary cap space for the 2018 season. A franchise tag for Garoppolo, who was acquired in November from New England for a 2018 second-round draft pick, could mean a deal worth $25 million for one season.
If the 49ers exercise that option, they would have until July to reach an agreement with Garoppolo on a long-term deal. If an agreement cannot be reached, the two sides would not be able to negotiate again until after the 2018 season.
“I think you are all in,” said Mark Dominik, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager from 20092013, on the Greg Papa Show on Monday afternoon on 95.7 The Game. “If you get a chance to see what we’re seeing over three more weeks and you’ve been with him now for two months and change, you know who he is and Kyle’s a smart guy and he’s got a lot of educated coaches around him. They know what this guy’s capable of.
“I think if you feel that confident, then you should get it done. You go for the five- to six-year deal and you lock him up and he becomes your franchise quarterback.”
Dominik figured any longterm deal would average over $20 million a season.
With so much salary cap space for next season, the 49ers might spend some of that money on pass protection.
Garoppolo was hit nine times Sunday in the 49ers’ 26-16 win over Houston, with Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney charging into the backfield on a near-regular basis. Last week against Chicago, Garoppolo was sacked twice.
As former starter C.J. Beathard found out three weeks ago when he was hurt on a fourth-quarter sack by Seattle’s Michael Bennett, a quarterback can only take so many shots.
“It’s the first time (since) we’ve had Jimmy that he’s been under duress like that, and I thought he handled it very well,” Shanahan said.
Shanahan didn’t know if right tackle Trent Brown would be available to play against Tennessee on Sunday.
Brown did not play in Houston after he was limited in practice earlier in the week with a shoulder injury. Zane Beadles played in Brown’s place, but he is better suited to be a interior lineman.
The Titans are tied for fifth in the NFL with 37 sacks. The following week’s opponent, Jacksonville, leads the league with
47. The 49ers then close the season with the Los Angeles Rams, who are tied for third with 40.
Asked about pass protection considering the defense the 49ers will be facing, Shanahan said, “It’s always a concern. It was a concern going into last game, especially when they’ve got a very good defense and very good corners, so it’s tough to get open very fast. They have someone like Clowney who is an issue for anyone to block.
“These three games ahead of us, it’s going to be very similar with some of the defenses. But that’s part of the NFL. You’ve got to deal with it. You’ve got to figure out ways to help.”
• Shanahan said the MRI cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon had on his knee Monday came back “better than anticipated.” Shanahan said Witherspoon has a knee sprain and is day-today, and the team will have a better idea Wednesday of how much Witherspoon can practice this week.