The Seahawks held off on trading for Baker Mayfield, and despite increased scrutiny, the Drew Lock-vs.-Geno Smith competition continues to look like the team’s post-Russell Wilson plan. But the other QB that looms on the trade block is at least on Seattle’s radar.
Jimmy Garoppolo has generated internal discussions among Seahawks brass, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com, who adds the team has gone through film of how the four-plus-year 49ers starter would fit (video link). While the Seahawks did not blink as the Panthers finalized their Mayfield trade, a Garoppolo-to-Seattle scenario appears in play.
Although it would be rather reckless if the Seahawks didn’t give Garoppolo a thorough look, given their quarterback situation, Pete Carroll said earlier this offseason he did not expect his team to make a second quarterback trade. Carroll’s QB-related words were not exactly indicative of the team’s plans with Wilson, but the Seahawks have stuck to their guns regarding the search for his successor. Mayfield-Seattle connections were repeatedly shot down, and the NFC West team is now a few weeks away from its Smith-Lock contest going into training camp.
Intra-divisional trades are rare, and not many quarterbacks have been exchanged by division rivals — Drew Bledsoe (2002) and Donovan McNabb (2010) being modern-era exceptions — but Fowler points to the Seahawks potentially waiting out the 49ers on their Garoppolo call. Unless an injury wrecks a team’s QB situation, the 49ers do not have many options with Garoppolo. His $24.2MM salary becomes guaranteed by Week 1, and although a Monday-morning report indicated the expectation is the 49ers will find a trade partner this month, teams may be willing to test San Francisco’s patience. Considering the Seahawks’ patience on the Mayfield front, it is not too difficult to see them standing pat with the Lock-Smith setup and waiting for Garoppolo to hit free agency.
That plan would not give the 30-year-old passer much time to digest the Seahawks’ playbook, and it would open the door to a stealth suitor swooping in. The Browns, who added more than $8MM to their league-leading cap-space figure with their Mayfield trade, could be in play if the imminent Deshaun Watson suspension does cover all of 2022. (Per results in the latest PFR poll, the Garoppolo-to-Cleveland scenario is quite live.) Garoppolo (two top-15 QBR marks in the past three years) would likely be an upgrade on what Seattle has, providing a chance for him to build up his 2023 free agency stock.
The 49ers will let Garoppolo’s camp negotiate his contract with other teams, but going from $24.2MM to where teams would want the QB’s 2022 compensation to land might be a long bridge. Holding more than $16MM in cap space (compared to the 49ers’ $4.9MM), the Seahawks sit in the top 10 for available funds. But they surely will not be interested in paying Garoppolo nearly as much as he is currently set to make.
The ninth-year veteran has not endured a setback in his recovery from shoulder surgery. He remains on track to resuming throwing this month.
Even if you set aside health, age, and playcallers, you have to think Jimmy would take a pretty big step back having to play SF’s defense twice with two rookie tackles protecting him, as opposed to getting to play Seattle’s defense twice with Trent Williams protecting him.
He beat the rams twice last year. Doesn’t get much tougher then Aaron Donald
It gets tougher if you have a worse offensive line against Aaron Donald. I’m not slighting Jimmy here when I say SF put him in a better position to succeed than Seattle would.
Seattle is kind of in this weird spot. Lockett, metcalf, fant, penny decent offense that needs a qb probably need a one year stop gap qb
A one year stopgap quarterback may keep you from getting a top quarterback in the draft. I think Jimmy G can get them 7-9 wins but they probably won’t make the playoffs and then they’ll be drafting 10th to 15th and you’re not getting Stroud
Agree 100%. Without Jimmy they are a 3-4 win team and a top 6 pick next year where there are two gifted qbs. With jimmy they are 2-3 wins better and won’t be in position to get one of those two.
Hey BB I like how you think. It would be hard to get a whole team to suck for Luck if you have a few spots they are weak at that might be enough.
I think Seattle should stand pat and get the highest pick they can. Then maybe the wheel’s on the Bronco’s kiddy kar falls off with a couple top 10 picks. Doubt that happens but hey a guy can wish.
I said all along Seattle was not interested in Baker but a Jimmy G that gets cut would be interesting. Still think it is a big possibility but if the big hammer falls on the alledged perv Browns could give a mid to late pick for him. Also if SF senses Seattle is really interested they would trade him for virtually nothing to get him out of the Div.
Watson will get no more than 8 games and the Browns will go with Brissett.
12 games minimum and that’s after the appeal.
He already turned that down. His lawyers know they have a great case for less. Goodell doesn’t want to give him more than what Judge Robinson imposes because this is her 1st case and it shows a lack of confidence in this new policy where an independent judge issues the punishment. And if Goodell does that, Watson’s team will sue like Brady did and it’ll go to District court where Watson will be able to play until after the hearing. 0-8 games. I follow this more than you do and this is what most people are saying. I know you want more but they probably won’t ask for your advice
…But they’re asking for the advice of the people you are “following?” Pretty sound logic there. You’re actually claiming to know what Goodell wants, it’s actually kind of funny.
It’s been out there before that the NFL wants a 1 year suspension. During negotiations, it was reported by a lot of people that the NFL is willing to do a indefinite suspension but he can reapply after 12 games. The NFLPA is pushing for no suspension. Usually things get settled in the middle. The Browns beat writers think somewhere between 4-8. Their only job is reporting on the Browns so I have to believe that they have sources that knows what was said in the hearings. I’m gonna believe a Browns beat writer before I’ll believe some geek online named Chester
Trade for Minshew!
Bring the Stache back to Wash Nope doesn’t work.
Doesn’t matter who the QB is if the offense can’t get on the field. Seattle was dead last in time of possession by a significant margin because the defense couldn’t stop anyone. That needs to be the main priority.
Niners should release Garoppolo. Guy took them to the Super Bowl and NFC Championship game. Don’t scuttle his chances to land on his feet trying to pry a fourth- or fifth-round choice from somebody.
If Jimmy G doesn’t get traded I think it’s a very real possibility if he comes back and his shoulder isn’t healthy and they fail him on the physical, they will fail him on “physically unable to perform” or “Non-NFI injury” (which his injury is football-related it came in the off-season) which still protects the 49ers rights of walking away from the contract. If they take him back and pass him on a physical they’re on the hook for. $24M. They gotta be very delicate going forward, ultimately if you get to right before camp and no one has made an offer for Jimmy I think they have no choice but to release Jimmy and basically say “We’ve tried to trade him, we’ve tried to give him away, and nobody wants him and we can’t go any further with this.” I think they’re hanging on for dear life in San Fran.
If the Seahawks wanted better QBs than Lock or Smith they would have already acquired one of the ten better backup QBs on other teams’ rosters.
How does a player not end up on the Seahawks radar? They’ll basically kick over every rock no matter what creature may be hiding beneath.
That dude sucks