San Francisco 49ers Add Javon Hargrave, Lose Jimmy Garoppolo As Free Agency Opens

The first day of the NFL free agent tampering period brought a whole bunch of action from the San Francisco 49ers.

It was almost a foregone conclusion that the likes of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey and defensive back Jimmie Ward would leave San Francisco once the market opened. All three signed lucrative deals with other teams during the first hours of the tampering period.

General manager John Lynch and Co. did make a splash of their own by signing one of the top free agents available. In surprising fashion, San Francisco inked former Philadelphia Eagles Pro Bowl defensive tackle Javon Hargrave to a whopping four-year, $84 million contract. Once completed when the new NFL year opens on Wednesday, it will make Hargrave one of the highest-paid players at his position in the NFL.

As I predicted would happen, the 49ers also brought in some insurance at quarterback by signing former New York Jets and Carolina Panthers signal caller Sam Darnold to a one-year contract. To close things out, the defending NFC West champions also brought back reserve defensive tackle Kevin Givens.

Below, I will break down all of this 49ers-related action during the first day of the NFL free agent tampering period with some in-depth analysis.

Jimmy Garoppolo’s Departure

Depending on who you ask, Garoppolo’s six-year tenure in Northern California was either a success or extremely frustrating. He posted a 38-17 record as San Francisco’s starter, but struggled when it counted the most. Garoppolo’s inability to remain healthy also played a role in his departure from the 49ers’ organization.

In the end, the Super Bowl quarterback inked a three-year, $72.75 million contract with the Las Vegas Raiders. This gives Garoppolo an opportunity to start elsewhere while providing the veteran with a big paycheck.

History will tell us all about Garoppolo’s career with the 49ers. It did not lead to a Lombardi Trophy. But consistent contention and three NFC Championship Game appearances in the past four years should create some fond memories.

San Francisco 49ers Add Sam Darnold

Immediately after it was reported that Garoppolo signed with Las Vegas, the 49ers brought in Darnold on a one-year deal. Terms of the contract are not yet known. It’s expected to be incentive laden.

The No. 3 overall pick of the New York Jets back in 2018, Darnold spent the past two seasons with the Carolina Panthers. After returning from a high ankle sprain this past season, the USC product threw seven touchdowns compared to three interceptions while boasting a 4-2 record as a starter for Carolina.

As for Darnold’s entire body of work, the 25-year-old quarterback has had a struggle of it in the NFL. Including his three-year run in New Jersey, the still young quarterback has thrown 61 touchdowns with 55 interceptions in 55 starts.

San Francisco simply brought Darnold in to be insurance behind youngsters Brock Purdy and Trey Lance. Purdy just underwent surgery on his throwing elbow. It’s possible that his return timeline could extend into the 2023 regular season. As for Lance, he suffered an ankle injury less than two games into last season. There was a need for depth in the quarterback room. At the very least, Darnold provides that on the cheap.

Mike McGlinchey Lands Big Money Contract In NFL Free Agency

San Francisco’s brass hinted that it would be hard to bring McGlinchey back given the market it expected him to receive in free agency. Even before the tampering period opened, the former first-round pick from Notre Dame was being linked to other teams.

In the end, the 49ers’ former starting right tackle inked a whopping five-year, $87.5 million contract with the Denver Broncos. It included $50 million in total guarantees.

McGlinchey, 28, was a stabilizing force for the 49ers at right tackle throughout his five-year career in Northern California. He started all 69 games in which he appeared during this span.

With that said, issues in pass protection precluded McGlinchey from being considered elite. It’s also likely one of the reasons San Francisco wasn’t going to get into a bidding war for his services.

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In House Candidate To Replace Mike McGlinchey

In what was ultimately a prelude of things to come, San Francisco re-signed restricted free agent Colton McKivitz earlier in the offseason. The 2020 fifth-round pick from West Virginia has only five career starts under his belt in three seasons.

The youngster has shown some flashes throughout his career. That included playing well at left tackle in Trent Williams’ stead during an October game against the Los Angeles Rams.

Jimmie Ward Lands With The Houston Texans

The writing was also on the wall here. Ward hinted that he was going to leave the 49ers in free agency before the market opened up. He was unhappy about playing a multitude of roles in the defensive backfield.

San Francisco’s longest tenured player ultimately landed with former 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans and the Houston Texans on a two-year, $13 million contract.

San Francisco 49ers Had Planned For Jimmie Ward’s Departure

One day before the tampering period opened, San Francisco re-signed former Pro Bowl safety Tashaun Gipson to a one-year contract (terms unknown). The veteran safety played extremely well last season after Ward went down to injury. In fact, he made it hard for the 49ers to put Ward back in at free safety once the latter returned.

In 17 games (all starts), Gipson recorded 61 tackles to go with five interceptions. He yielded a 57.1% completion and 63.8 QB rating when targeted. The expectation is that Gipson will start next to All-Pro safety Talanoa Hufanga next season with San Francsico looking to add a young safety in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Blockbuster Javon Hargrave Signing

As I noted above, this signing came out of left field. San Francisco was indeed interested in defensive tackles heading into free agency. I just didn’t think the team would dole out big-time money at this position.

That’s exactly what the 49ers did in handing Hargrave $40 million guaranteed after the 30-year-old veteran put up a career-best season for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2022.

Hargrave recorded 16 quarterback hits, 11 sacks and 10 tackles for losses in anchoring one of the better defensive lines in modern NFL history.

To say that this signing is big time would be an understatement. Hargrave will now team up with reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa in forming an elite duo along San Francisco defensive line. Add in the presence of fellow stud defensive tackle Arik Armstead, and this could be a dominant unit.

Javon Kinlaw’s Future in San Francisco

The backdrop here is obvious. San Francisco’s brass is not confident that Kinlaw can remain healthy. The No. 14 pick back in 2020, Kinlaw has suited up in a total of 10 games over the past two seasons due to numerous injuries. When on the field, he just has not been consistent.

Interestingly enough, San Francisco originally selected Kinlaw with the pick it acquired in the DeForest Buckner blockbuster with the Indianapolis Colts in 2020. He’s now set to be replaced by a free agent signing in Hargrave who inked a deal similar to what Buckner got in Indianapolis.

Whether the 49ers look to trade Kinlaw remains to be seen. There likely isn’t a strong market for his services. But the decision to re-sign fellow defensive tackle Kevin Givens on Monday could play a role in the decision-making process.