The NFL trade deadline is usually a fairly quiet affair, with few players dealt. The salary cap often plays into it, but arguably more important is the difficulty of learning a new offensive or defensive playbook. It’s not a simply plug-and-play type of deal.
The San Francisco 49ers acquisition of Jimmy Garoppolo is a stunning move, primarily because of the timing. The 49ers needed a quarterback for the long haul, but I don’t think anybody anticipated this kind of move at this particular time. Garoppolo joins an entirely new offense, with the 49ers hoping he can get them moving in the right direction, and be someone they can invest in for the long term.