Garoppolo can breathe easier as QB market settles
That sound you hear might be Jimmy Garoppolo exhaling.
For nearly seven weeks, starting after his fourthquarter Super Bowl flameout Feb. 2, the 49ers’ quarterback dealt with criticism of his job performance and speculation about his job security.
Last week, however, the dust settled. For now.
Tom Brady, Garoppolo’s potential replacement in 2020, left New England and settled in Tampa Bay by signing a twoyear contract. Kirk Cousins, Garoppolo’s potential replacement in 2021, decided to remain settled in Minnesota by signing a twoyear extension.
That left no doubt that Garoppolo will remain the 49ers’ starter in 2020. And it means his first interception in 2020 won’t inspire chatter about Cousins, a favorite of 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, assuming his spot next season.
Defensive lineman Arik Armstead recently indicated players had little insight into the team’s plans.
“It’s funny to look at and see,” Armstead said last week on NFL Network, referring specifically to the Brady rumors. “But when you’re in the building and know what Jimmy has brought to our team, putting us on the
The 49ers have agreed to terms with former Chargers wide receiver Travis Benjamin, 30, on a one-year contract, potentially adding experience and depth to a young and unsettled position group, a league source said.
Benjamin (5-foot-10, 175 pounds) played for head coach Kyle Shanahan in 2014 when Shanahan was the Browns’ offensive coordinator. Benjamin was a teammate with 49ers offensive assistant Miles Austin with Cleveland in 2014. Austin works with the team’s wide receivers.
Benjamin had just six catches in five games last year before he was placed on injured reserve in October with a quadriceps injury. He has 208 catches for 3,143 and 19 touchdowns in his eightyear career and ranks seventh among active players in yards per reception (15.1). He has just 17 catches for 216 yards and one score in 17 games over the past two seasons.