According to NFL.com Ian Rapoportthe Indianapolis Coltswho currently needs a starting quarterback – just traded the “one-and-done” Carson Wentzshould ‘be in the mix’ for San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo through trade:
the #Colts have entered the QB race again and expect them to be in the game for Jimmy Garoppolo as well.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2022
With the 49ers’ first pick in 2021 Trey Lance expected to take over the starting reins in San Francisco, Garoppolo is expected to be traded to a quarterback team in need shortly – and he will have a disputed market, even after undergoing recent off-season shoulder surgery.
Garoppolo has thrown 301 of 441 (68.3%) for 3,810 passing yards, 20 passing touchdowns, 12 interceptions and a 98.7 passer rating in 15 starts in 2021.
Although Garoppolo is not as physically gifted as Wentz, he possesses superior competitiveness and leadership “between the ears”. He’s an accurate passer, can handle the football and, unlike Wentz, isn’t afraid to launch easily under open throws and checks.
It won’t be easy to replace Jimmy Garoppolo, who fought his way to the upper right quadrant of this accuracy/efficiency chart along with the other good QBs in the NFL.
Trey Lance, in his limited action, was in Wentz/Mayfield territory. But we saw rapid improvement from Lance in his last half pic.twitter.com/BdX07PjiPq
— David Lombardi (@Lombardilimself) February 2, 2022
However, he can still push the ball down:
Since 2018, here are the top 10 QBs in yards per attempt:
1.D.Watson
2. J. Garoppolo
3. P. Mahomes
4. Rivers P.
5.J.Winston
6. D. Brees
7. R. Wilson
8. Nick Mullens
9. R.Fizpatrick
10. R. Tannehill….
18. C. Beathard
19. L. JacksonThe Niners machine works well.
—Robert Mays (@robertmays) December 20, 2021
The “he’s just a winner” mantra is overstated, but Garoppolo’s 49ers have won at least the NFC title game in two of the past three seasons. He’s someone who plays smart enough and with enough precision to win, but would still need a strong supporting cast around him to make a deep run in the AFC playoffs.
For what it’s worth, Garoppolo’s name appeared in trade talks between the 49ers and Colts before– especially in previous DeForest Buckner negotiations in 2020, and the pair of general managers from both teams: Chris Ballard and John Lynch have a positive professional working relationship.
After recouping some of the lost draft capital in today’s Wentz trade, the Colts also have additional assets to help quickly accelerate a deal with San Francisco.
