How 2022 NFL quarterback market will affect Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers

Best 49ers trade partners for Jimmy Garoppolo

San Francisco might benefit the most by a big return package for Jimmy Garoppolo if it waited until after the opening rush of NFL free agency but before the draft. After the draft, many of the likely teams seeking quarterback help will have found an option.

Maybe not the most preferred one. But certainly one they’ll sell their respective fanbases on for the time being.

In reality, though, the 49ers are likely to try and have a deal in place before the start of the league new year on March 16. A Garoppolo trade probably won’t be influenced by any would-be moves of Aaron Rodgers, Deshaun Watson or Russell Wilson, rather only assisted by the fact it’s a weak offseason market, to begin with.

As far as the likeliest of destinations? It’s not too hard to speculate in this kind of order:

1. Pittsburgh Steelers
2. Washington Commanders
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
4. Denver Broncos
5. Carolina Panthers

Pittsburgh doesn’t have a ton of draft assets and is picking towards the latter half of Rounds 1 and 2, thanks to its playoff appearance. Plus, if the Niners want to do right by Jimmy G and trade him to a program that’s always competitive, few options would be better than the Steelers.

Washington carries some weight, too, given it’s a weak division. And the Commanders do boast a quality defense, while the Bucs might look to retain dominance over a shoddy NFC South despite Tom Brady’s retirement.

A team like the Broncos, probably the favorite to land Rodgers if that happens, could ultimately miss out on Rodgers, too, pushing them to the forefront.

Either way, there won’t be a drop in the speculation, rumors and attention given to where Garoppolo will wind up playing in 2022.

But, hopefully, you might understand the market a bit better now.