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49ers Make Garoppolo The Highest-Paid Player In NFL History
The 49ers have their franchise quarterback locked up for years to come. Jimmy Garoppolo has agreed to a five-year deal with the 49ers, according to multiple reports.

According to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, the deal is worth $137.5 million and is the biggest deal in NFL history on an average-per-year basis. CSNBayArea.com's Matt Maiocco, citing sources, reports that Garoppolo’s deal averages a league-high $27.5 million per season with total guarantees worth $74 million. ESPN's Adam Schefter chimed in by noting it will include the largest three-year cash total for a new contract in NFL history, just shy of $90 million.

As Profootballtalk.com's Michael David Smith reminded readers, Garoppolo joined John Lynch's Niners in a surprising midseason trade from the New England Patriots and, within three weeks in the building, earned the starting role.

Garoppolo was slated to be an unrestricted free agent in March. But his performance gave ample reason for the Niners to get in front of things.

In six games and five starts, Garoppolo tore up the league, completing 67.4 percent of his passes for 1,560 passing yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions. In addition, Garoppolo has led his team to more points per game in his starts (28.3) than any other quarterback over the last 25 seasons (minimum 7 starts).

More importantly, the 49ers were 1-10 when Garoppolo became their starter, but they went 5-0 in games he started. Indeed, the former second-round pick has never lost an NFL start.

Now we'll all get to see if he can turn the 49ers back into a Super Bowl team again.

In a related note, this is obviously great news for the team's receiving corps.

Marqise Goodwin was one of the great stories of the NFL season, transforming himself from a speed threat to an every-down option. And as the Sports Xchange suggests, you have to wonder what kind of season Garcon would have been capable of had he ever lined up with Garoppolo.

No doubt, a high-profile wideout has to be among the club's wish-list items in the offseason.

If someone capable of sliding Garcon and Goodwin down to second and third options, respectively, came along, that could be scary.

The team's tight ends were rather nondescript, with the entire group combining for 66 catches, 866 yards and five touchdowns. Surely, one of the most encouraging moments of the season came in the finale, when rookie George Kittle, who had worked well with his former college teammate (C.J. Beathard) earlier in the season, finally clicked with Garoppolo for 100 yards.

No matter what, heading into his first full offseason working with Kyle Shanahan and boasting an impressive new contract, Garoppolo will be riding high on fantasy radars this summer. Some might argue too high. Nonetheless, the interest is certainly well-founded. We'll be watching how he handles the attention and the role as the season draws nearer.