How 2022 NFL quarterback market will affect Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers
By Peter Panacy
49ers may be challenged by other QB trades
It might be wise for San Francisco to wait for the shortlist of potentially available quarterbacks to be had via trade to play out in offseason deals, thereby forcing another team to up its bidding price in an act of desperation to grab Jimmy Garoppolo.
That said, there is no guarantee potentially available quarterbacks will be on the move.
The biggest domino to possibly fall is Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, of course. A season removed from all kinds of speculation he’d be traded ahead of 2021, Rodgers has already stated he doesn’t want to go through a rebuild in Green Bay, and the Packers aren’t going to be any better than they were when they finished with the No. 1 playoff seed in the NFC last season.
With considerable salary-cap issues, Green Bay could command a massive return if Rodgers is dealt, helping set the trade market for Garoppolo and the 49ers.
But also removing a would-be trade partner in the process.
Similarly, the Seattle Seahawks could potentially move on from quarterback Russell Wilson this offseason. The fact they are retaining head coach Pete Carroll into 2022 suggests Wilson sticks around another year, but maybe Wilson ends up forcing his way out anyway.
And if the Houston Texans wind up figuring out their situation with quarterback Deshaun Watson, amid all his off-field drama and allegations of sexual misconduct, another one of those desperate teams could be crossed off the list, too.