How overpaid IS Jimmy G?

Spoiler alert: Not at all

Yes, the 49ers are going to trade Jimmy G, and his trade value just spiked with Aaron Rodgers staying home and the shocking trade of Russell “Mr Unlimited” Wilson to Denver. Jimmy just became the most appealing veteran QB who is available out there.

I’ve seen a LOT of tweets saying that nobody will pay $27MM (his approximate salary next year) for a bridge QB, that he’s not worth it, etc.

But take a look at the average quarterback salaries for next season at Spotrac.

greebs📎🏌🏼🏈 @greebs

Yes, Jimmy G is set to earn almost $27MM next year. Also? It's only the 11th highest salary. After him: Stafford (about to get a HUGE raise), Brady (retired), Carr (?) and then ... a massive plunge to rookies or washed vets. Jimmy is about as cheap as a vet QB gets these days.

Why yes, I did just post my own tweet into my story. The long and short of it is - if you want to trade or sign a veteran for 2022, whether to test him out for a long-term deal or as a bridge to a rookie, here are your possible choices:

• Jimmy: $27MM

• Carson Wentz: $32MM

• Jared Goff: $33.5MM

Those are the veterans you could trade for. To me, there’s no question Jimmy is the best value here, even if they were paid equally (which they’re not - $5-8.5MM can go a long way). Carson poisoned his locker room, and the Rams literally traded away capital for the Lions to take on Goff’s salary.

Then, here are the veterans you could sign, and their 2021 salaries:

• Andy Dalton: $10MM

• Cam Newton: $6MM

• Tyrod Taylor: $5.5MM

• Jameis Winston: $5.5MM

• Jacoby Brissett: $5.0MM

• Teddy Bridgewater: $4.4MM

• Marcus Mariota: $3.5MM

Now, sure - some of these guys are not untalented. Jameis, for one, is likely to re-sign with the Saints (unless THEY trade for Jimmy…). But put yourself into the fan of the Steelers, Commanders (sigh), Panthers or Saints, to name a few of the teams still desperate for a QB. Would you be happier with ANYONE on this list, or with this handsome fella?

In short, teams may or may not want to trade for Jimmy, but his salary won’t be the reason.