Jimmy Garoppolo: 5 teams that may balk at trading for 49ers QB
By Peter Panacy
No. 2: Steelers could be eyeing bridge free agents and NFL Draft prospects, not Jimmy Garoppolo
For some time, it sure appeared as if the Pittsburgh Steelers could be a favorite to trade for Jimmy Garoppolo this offseason. They just watched their quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, retire. And while it’s nowhere as severe as the AFC West, the AFC North is still going to be a hotly contested division for the foreseeable future.
The problem, though, is there’s not much smoke coming from the speculative fire regarding a trade between Pittsburgh and San Francisco for Jimmy G. Instead, there are more suggestions the Steelers go with a two-fold option, first by grabbing a free-agent “bridge” quarterback like Jameis Winston, then using their first-round pick (No. 20 overall) on a quarterback who can sit and develop for a year as the No. 2 guy.
There don’t seem to be any day-one starters at the position in this year’s draft, so going the route of a Winston-type quarterback for a single season wouldn’t cost the Steelers anything in draft capital, and they have plenty of roster needs elsewhere, meaning saving those picks would be smart.
If Pittsburgh likes a prospect at No. 20, such as Pitt’s Kenny Pickett, sending off anything for Garoppolo wouldn’t make too much sense.