The 49ers agreed to terms on a five-year contract with Jimmy Garoppolo worth $137.5 million, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported, per a source informed of the decision. The deal is the largest in NFL history on an average-per-year basis.
In just seven career starts, Garoppolo has displayed unequivocally he's a franchise quarterback. Now he'll be paid like one.
Down the stretch of the season, Jimmy G elevated every player on the 49ers' roster. His pinpoint ball placement allowed previously third-fiddle receivers to morph into dangerous weapons. His quick trigger and ability to throw off his back foot aided a banged-up offensive line. His talent for moving the ball kept the 49ers' porous defense off the field and in positive situations.
In his first three games starting for the 49ers, Garoppolo led just one three-and-out punt. San Francisco scored on a whopping 62 percent of Jimmy G's drives this season -- for perspective, the Patriots were second at 51 percent.
Since he entered the NFL in 2014, Garoppolo has completed 67.3 percent of his passes (4th-highest, min. 250 attempts) with an 8.3 yards per attempt average (first) and a 99.7 passer rating (fifth).
In five starts with the 49ers (and limited weapons at receiver), Garoppolo completed 67.0% of his passes for an average of 308 yards and an 8.76 yards per attempt. He also threw six touchdowns and five interceptions in those five starts. He'll be ranked as a high-end QB2 in our early 2018 rankings.