The top priority facing the 49ers this offseason is getting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo signed to a long-term deal after reinvigorating the franchise with his 5-0 start to end the 2017 season.
General manager John Lynch said after the season he wanted to keep those negotiations in-house and out of the public eye. But Lynch said during a Senior Bowl practice on Wednesday the 49ers are working to get their franchise quarterback locked up for the long term.
“We believe we found the right guy,” Lynch said on NFL Network. “Now the challenge is getting Jimmy signed. We’re working hard towards that. We’ll see. I think he wants to be with us and we want him there. So I think it makes too much sense not to happen, so it’s just a matter of getting it done.”
The 49ers said after acquiring Garoppolo in the trade with the Patriots that they would be willing to give him the franchise tag, fully guaranteeing roughly $25 million to ensure he sticks around in 2018. Getting him signed to a long-term deal would ensure more stability for both sides.
San Francisco is expected to have upwards of $110 million in cap space before Garoppolo signs, whether on the tag or a multi-year agreement. The window to give players the franchise tag opens Feb. 20 and closes March 6. Once tagged, the deadline to agree to long-term contract is July 16.
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