USA TODAY International Edition
No takers yet for Jimmy G. or Baker
Quarterback outlook in draft could be starting to take shape
This NFL offseason has featured one of the most active and fascinating quarterback carousels in league history, with five passers traded to new teams, two more signing deals to potentially start for new teams and three more inking massive deals to remain with their current squads.
The Seattle Seahawks sent Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos, who shipped Drew Lock back as part of a huge haul. The Indianapolis Colts traded Carson Wentz to the Washington Commanders and two weeks later acquired Matt Ryan from the Atlanta Falcons. And the Cleveland Browns forked over a load of picks and broke the bank to secure Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans.
Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford and Kirk Cousins re- upped with the Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings, respectively. And Mitch Trubisky ( Pittsburgh Steelers) and Marcus Mariota ( Atlanta) positioned themselves for starting roles in 2022.
One quarterback absent from the action, however, is the San Francisco 49ers’ Jimmy Garoppolo, whom many around the league expected to be traded a year after the 49ers moved up in the draft to take Trey Lance third overall.
However, through the first two weeks of the league year, things have remained quiet on the Jimmy G. front. The ninthyear veteran has generated very little interest on the trade market, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The individual spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter. As trade partner options evaporate, it’s possible that Garoppolo could wind up remaining in San Francisco for the final year of his contract. That would then leave coach Kyle
Shanahan and his assistants to pick between Garoppolo or Lance for their starter for the 2022 season.
There are a number of factors contributing to the lack of activity for Garoppolo. The fact that Garoppolo is coming off surgery on his throwing shoulder and likely will miss the bulk of the offseason program has raised concern for potential trade partners.
But even without the surgery, perceptions of Garoppolo are less than glowing.
Entering free agency, multiple NFL talent evaluators and coaches gave lukewarm assessments of Garoppolo despite his 33- 14 regular- season record as a starter and 5- 2 mark in the postseason, which includes helping San Francisco reach a Super Bowl and the NFC championship game twice since 2019. Garoppolo’s inconsistencies, both in durability ( just once has he played a full season) and production, made him less than desirable in the eyes of some quarterback- needy teams, even those such as Washington ( which opted for another inconsistent option in Wentz), New Orleans ( which this week re- signed interception- prone Jameis Winston), Pittsburgh ( which went with Trubisky, who was deemed a bust with the Chicago Bears) and Indianapolis ( which opted for aging Ryan).
Multiple people within the league, speaking to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity for competitive reasons, believe that Garoppolo is best suited as a quality backup called on to start in case of an injured starter or as a bridge for a young prospect.
The bridge role is what the 49ers had in mind when they retained Garoppolo last season, and the 30- year- old played well enough to help San Francisco reach the conference championship game.
However, the 49ers’ offense put up somewhat pedestrian numbers in points ( ranking 13th with 25.1 per game) and third downs ( 14th with a 40.2% success rate).
Garoppolo sounded resigned to his time in San Francisco ending following the playoff loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams.
But 49ers brass has played close to the vest whenever asked about him. Garoppolo does have supporters within the locker room and the organization, however.
Sizing up a veteran roster, and taking into account the fact that Lance ( who posted a 1- 1 record, 57.7% completion rate, five touchdowns and two interceptions as a rookie) looks like a player still in need of significant development, there are those who would prefer the 49ers hang onto Garoppolo one more year because he does give them a chance to win. ( Garoppolo has one season and approximately $ 25 million in base salary remaining on the five- year, $ 137 million contract that he signed in 2018, which at the time made him one of the highest- paid quarterbacks in the league.)
Some rival executives believe that the 49ers could wind up hanging onto Garoppolo if they don’t receive what they deem to be fair compensation.
Mayfield wait continues
Baker Mayfield is another quarterback playing the waiting game.
Three days after the Browns officially announced the Watson trade, and nearly a week after Mayfield requested a trade, the 2018 No. 1 overall draft pick has yet to garner serious interest from teams.
The Seahawks have inquired on the fifth- year pro, a person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity for competitive reasons, but talks stalled after Cleveland named its asking price. Seattle remains the most logical destination for Mayfield, several people within the league maintain.
At this point, following the flurry of trades and signings of the last two weeks, the number of teams in need of starting quarterbacks has dwindled significantly. New Orleans, Carolina and Atlanta all missed out on Watson, but the Saints in turn re- signed Winston, Atlanta signed Mariota, and many around the league believe the Panthers will now use the sixth overall pick on a rookie quarterback.
Draft- day trades coming?
This year’s draft class isn’t viewed as particularly strong at quarterback, but a handful of teams still have long- term needs for a signal- caller. The limited supply of passers deemed worthy of a first- round pick could prompt trade activity either on draft day or leading up to that date.
Liberty’s Malik Willis, Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett and Ole Miss’ Matt Corral are regarded as the top quarterbacks in this year’s draft. But some NFL talent evaluators question whether any are worthy of a top 10 pick.
The Panthers could be the first team to pull the trigger at No. 6, and multiple people within the league believe Willis could be their man. The intrigue will unfold after that.
Atlanta, which now needs a quarterback after trading Ryan, picks eighth, Washington holds the 11th choice, the Saints pick 18th and Pittsburgh stands at No. 20. All have secured short- term answers at quarterback but still are believed to have interest in drafting a passer as well.
The limited options could prompt multiple teams to try to move ahead of Atlanta at No. 8 to ensure they get the top remaining quarterback, even if that means reaching, multiple NFL talent evaluators predict. If unsuccessful in overtaking the Falcons, efforts then could shift to move into the top 10.