Najee Harris would welcome Jimmy Garoppolo to Steelers

The Steelers are looking like a real destination for 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, and Pittsburgh running back Najee Harris would be OK with that.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is all but certain he’ll be on the move this offseason, as the Niners look to fully insert their 2021 high-profile rookie, Trey Lance, into the starter’s role for 2022 and beyond.

Garoppolo will be heading into a seller’s market for signal-callers this offseason. With relatively few high-quality options in free agency, and perhaps even fewer in the 2022 NFL Draft, those teams in need of a starting quarterback are going to be hard-pressed to land an option capable of carrying an offense effectively.

It’s debatable just how much Garoppolo can shoulder a team’s offense, especially after his fourth-quarter flameout against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship game that ultimately ended San Francisco’s bid for another Super Bowl berth.

In light of the other options, though, Garoppolo will be a sought-after commodity nonetheless.

Steelers might be in the market for Jimmy Garoppolo this offseason

One of the teams out there with a solid chance to grab Garoppolo via trade in 2022 is the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Pittsburgh, which just watched its future Hall of Fame quarterback Ben Roethlisberger retire, still has a playoff-caliber roster and one of the league’s top head coaches in Mike Tomlin. One of Garoppolo’s key points made in his end-of-year presser was the desire to go somewhere where winning was a top priority.

Few teams epitomize that more than the Steelers in both recent and long-term history.

Garoppolo might not have to carry Pittsburgh’s offense either, especially if its 2021 plans revolved around Roethlisberger’s quick passing game and the reestablishment of a run-first system under offensive coordinator Matt Canada.

One featuring 2021 rookie running back Najee Harris.

Najee Harris embraces idea of Jimmy Garoppolo playing for Steelers

Appearing on CBS Sports HQ, Harris talked about the speculation of what promises to be an enticing offseason quarterback market.

Interestingly enough, Garoppolo was one of the quarterbacks he mentioned as a possibility to join:

“There are names that passed my mind,” Harris said. “I don’t know the scenarios for everything. But Deshaun Watson is always in there. Aaron Rodgers, obviously, I like. … Even guys like Jimmy G, I like him, too. Just a guy that wants to come in here and compete. I think that’ll fit the offense.”

Harris, who rushed for 1,200 yards and seven touchdowns while also adding 467 receiving yards en route to a rookie Pro Bowl campaign, saw action within a Steelers offense that nevertheless finished 21st in scoring and 23rd in yards gained.

Related Story: What would 49ers get if they trade Jimmy Garoppolo?

Considering Roethlisberger’s own limitations in the final year of his career, one might be able to easily argue Garoppolo would serve as a substantial upgrade.

Especially while the bulk of Pittsburgh’s roster elsewhere is intact for another playoff push.

Although it makes sense why Harris would list both Watson and Rodgers first over Garoppolo. Few teams would go with the reverse order.

Either way, it sounds like Harris would be fully happy if the Steelers and Niners pulled off a Jimmy G trade this offseason.

H/t to Niners Nation for the find.