Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports

Jimmy Garoppolo came close to being the Washington Commanders’ quarterback, according to an ESPN report Sunday morning.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the San Francisco 49ers had worked out parameters for a trade with Washington at this year’s NFL Scouting Combine. However, Garoppolo decided to have shoulder surgery, leading to the trade falling through.

The deal would have included multiple draft picks, according to Schefter. Instead, the Commanders pivoted and acquired Carson Wentz from the Indianapolis Colts.

Schefter confirmed an earlier ESPN report that the 49ers thought they had a deal with the Commanders. Coincidentally, Schefter’s report surfaced on the same day Wentz played one of his two former teams, the Philadelphia Eagles, who drafted the QB No. 2 overall in 2016.

Wentz was sacked nine times by the Eagles’ defense en route to a 24-8 blowout loss for Washington.

After the game, Commanders head coach Ron Rivera was not happy about the report.

“That was a bullcrap report, okay? Just so that everybody understands it,” Rivera said, per 106.7 the Fan. “I didn’t talk to anybody about that. I’m not sure where that all came from. I’m disappointed that came out like that, especially in today’s game. I really am. Because I didn’t talk to anybody about Jimmy Garoppolo.”

The Commanders do have a general manager, Martin Mayhew. However, Rivera has been at the top of the football operations for the team since he became head coach in January 2020. Washington has a ‘coach-centric’ approach. Therefore, Rivera would have been in on any roster personnel moves.

According to JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington, the Commanders indeed checked on Garoppolo’s status with the 49ers. But the team was aware of the shoulder issue. Wentz was higher on the team’s list.

The timing of Schefter’s report upset Rivera the most.

“Just, we’re getting ready to play Philadelphia. Really? Come on,” Rivera said. “That’s what I’m disappointed in. I really am. Because again, whatever it is for whatever reason, the report’s got to get… Does it really have to get out? Or could it have waited until after we finished our game, then get it out? So, I’m just disappointed it got out.”

Wentz had his worst performance as a Commander to date. He completed 25-of-43 passes for a pedestrian 211 yards and failed to throw for a touchdown for the first time this season.

Meanwhile, San Francisco is happy with how the situation played out. Teams backed off Garoppolo, forcing the 49ers to rework his deal and kept him on as a backup. Starting quarterback Trey Lance suffered a season-ending ankle injury, and Garoppolo once again became the 49ers’ starting quarterback.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Thursday's NCAA men's tournament Sweet 16 takeaways: New faces going to the Elite Eight
Did breakup with J-Lo cost Alex Rodriguez the Timberwolves?
Draymond Green explains what happened with his latest ejection
Rob Manfred makes first public comments on MLB’s Shohei Ohtani investigation
Watch: Mike Trout hits first home run of 2024 MLB season off Corbin Burnes
Jets owner blasts report about alleged 'heated conversation' with HC Robert Saleh
Browns GM names player he wants to 'retain as long as possible'
UNC HC Mack Brown explains why ceiling for QB Drake Maye is 'so high'
Watch: Massive three-point swing helps No. 4 Alabama stun No. 1 North Carolina in Sweet 16
Watch: Diamondbacks set franchise record with 14-run inning
UConn continues historic run of dominance after rout of San Diego State
No. 2 Arizona beat themselves in Sweet 16 upset to No. 6 Clemson
Watch: Rangers' World Series banner unveiling leaves a lot to be desired
Watch: Kendall Diggs' three-run blast lifts Arkansas to victory over LSU
Watch: Juan Soto cuts down runner at plate to save game for Yankees
Royals' Cole Ragans sets franchise record in impressive Opening Day start
Guardians trade for two pitchers to round out Opening Day roster
Patrick Beverley's decision to play through his injury is a boost for Bucks
Corbin Burnes dominates in Orioles debut, significantly raises their ceiling
Watch: Base running error spoils Shohei Ohtani's first home Dodgers at-bat

Want more NFL news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.