Why these 4 teams could trade for Jimmy Garoppolo (and why they didn’t)
By Peter Panacy
Jimmy Garoppolo trade destination No. 2: Atlanta Falcons
Right after the Indianapolis Colts traded Carson Wentz to the Commanders, Indy immediately became a favorite landing spot for Jimmy Garoppolo.
Reports surfaced the Colts wanted Wentz to be a bigger leader, but he failed to deliver that in the locker room, and his play wasn’t exactly enough to overcome those shortcomings. If anything, the desire to trade Wentz after just one year following his big acquisition from the Philadelphia Eagles says everything one needs to know.
According to the Pat McAfee Show, though, Indianapolis instead elected to go with Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, who had to feel his time was coming to an end with the Falcons also in the Deshaun Watson hunt:
BREAKING: Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts is ALL BUT DONE, my source(s) are saying it's for a 3rd rounder#PMSLive pic.twitter.com/gxW1OoI9W7
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 21, 2022
So, did the Falcons suddenly wind up being trade partners soon after?
Why Falcons could have traded for Jimmy Garoppolo
Atlanta wanted to upgrade under center over Ryan and onto Watson, ultimately failing in that process.
With few other options out there, and a Falcons team going through a rebuild amid a weak NFC South, going after Garoppolo would have at least help solve one pressing and immediate need while acting as a bridge to a long-term option.
Why Falcons didn’t trade for Jimmy Garoppolo
The Falcons just got out from under Ryan’s sizable contract, which should free up a lot of money to help spark a rebuild.
Would they seriously want to take on $25 million right now for someone who is less capable than Ryan? Possibly not.
Atlanta is taking a $40.5M cap hit this season by trading Matt Ryan. I can’t see them investing another $25.9M at QB by acquiring Garoppolo. Someone cheaper like Mariota makes more sense for Falcons.
— Jeff Deeney (@PFF_Jeff) March 21, 2022
Saving those draft assets to stock up on young, cheap talent probably is the smarter move, and the Falcons ultimately elected to go with Marcus Mariota instead:
That was fast: The #Falcons have agreed to a 2-year deal with QB Marcus Mariota.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 21, 2022
Cheaper option at play.