The Cleveland Browns officially signed journeyman Josh Rosen on Friday, but oddsmakers don’t believe the team is done searching for a veteran quarterback while awaiting the pending suspension of Deshaun Watson.
The San Francisco 49ers reportedly gave permission to quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo’s representatives to seek a trade, and SportsBetting.ag installed Cleveland as the +225 favorite to be his next destination.
Watson is expected to be suspended for at least multiple games, and possibly half the 2022 season, for violating the league’s personal conduct policy stemming from two dozen sexual misconduct allegations.
Watson reportedly could agree not to appeal if the NFL opts against a season-long suspension, with Pro Football Talk reporting a multi-game suspension was likely but not more than eight games.
San Francisco is looking to move Garoppolo, who has recovered from offseason shoulder surgery. The 49ers are ready to hand the keys of the offense to second-year quarterback Trey Lance, making Garoppolo expendable.
The New York Giants and Seattle Seahawks have the next shortest odds at +350, followed by Watson’s former team, the Houston Texans, at +400.
The Giants appear committed to Daniel Jones in the final year of his rookie contract after declining his fifth-year option. The Seahawks traded Russell Wilson this offseason and are set to enter training camp with Drew Lock competing with Geno Smith.
Jimmy Garoppolo Next Team Odds
Browns +225
Giants +350
Seahawks +350
Texans +400
Lions +500
Bears +1200
Jets +2000
Saints +2000
Garoppolo, 30, had a procedure on his right shoulder in March and was excused from offseason activities, including a mandatory minicamp last month.
He carries a $26.95 million cap hit for 2022, the final season of a five-year, $137.5 million deal Garoppolo signed with San Francisco in February 2018.
He went 9-6 as the starter last season, completing 68.3 percent of his passes for 3,810 yards, with 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Garoppolo has a 33-14 career record with the 49ers and New England Patriots (2014-16). He has thrown for 11,852 yards with 71 TDs and 38 interceptions. He won two Super Bowl rings as Tom Brady’s backup in New England and led the 49ers to Super Bowl LIV.
–Field Level Media