49ers rumors: 3 reasons why Teddy Bridgewater is on team’s radar

No. 1: 49ers are trying to get Panthers to tip their hand

This is most likely what San Francisco’s motivation was by reportedly reaching out to the Panthers.

Perhaps the 49ers actually don’t have any interest in Teddy Bridgewater. Aside from doing the usual “due diligence” and inquiring about the market, the Niners are still fully committed to Jimmy Garoppolo for 2021.

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Yet the same scenario still applies for the possibility of grabbing a quarterback in the draft. While having both a first-round rookie and Jimmy G on the roster at the same time would be expensive, it’s not entirely out of the realm of possibility.

But what San Francisco would want to know is whether or not Carolina is actively seeking a quarterback in Round 1, too, with the No. 8 overall pick.

At No. 12 overall, it’s smart practice for the 49ers to try assessing what each team’s intention is drafting ahead of them. That would include the Panthers, and by gauging a would-be trade for Bridgewater, it’s possible to ascertain whether or not they’re actively trying to trade the quarterback in a move to free up that roster spot for a rookie quarterback.

Those are the kinds of offseason games teams play all the time. And while the Niners may have no actual intention of trying to land Bridgewater, it would be helpful if they knew whether or not Carolina would entertain it.

That might give away the Panthers’ true intentions with the No. 8 pick in the draft this year.