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The Carolina Panthers played the waiting game on Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield well. Carolina was seemingly the last available suitor for Mayfield, who certainly didn't want to suit up for the Browns in 2022. Hence, why the Panthers were able to get Mayfield for a conditional 2024 fifth-round pick.
It was a big move for a Carolina team in need of a change at the signal-caller spot. But they're not the only team that could do with an upgrade under center. The Seattle Seahawks, fresh off of dealing longtime quarterback and Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson this offseason, are prepared to enter the season with Drew Lock and Geno Smith as their quarterbacks.
Wait what? That's right, Lock and Smith are expected to duke it out in training camp for the QB1 job in Seattle. But what if the Seahawks had another option at quarterback?
What if they did the unconventional and traded for Jimmy Garoppolo, the quarterback of the division-rival San Francisco 49ers? An inter-division trade would certainly be unlikely- but not out of the question.
Plus, the Seahawks have reasons to do it. Two very important reasons.
Here's why Seattle should do the unthinkable and deal for Garoppolo.
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2 Reasons Seahawks Should Trade For Jimmy Garoppolo
2. The Seahawks might be able to acquire Jimmy Garoppolo at a lesser cost
There are some parallels between the Baker Mayfield and Jimmy Garoppolo situations. Both signal-callers are coming off of shoulder ailments, with Garoppolo's surgery in March completely tanking his trade value. As such, the 49ers quarterback hasn't yet been cleared to throw a football, though he's expected to begin doing so at the end of July.
Through it all, 2021 third overall pick Trey Lance has been taking the starter reps at offseason practices. Given the immense capital the Niners spent to acquire Lance, it's clear they view him as their future.
Plus, head coach Kyle Shanahan came out and said that he still thinks Garoppolo will eventually be traded. But there could be some lingering concern among teams with Garoppolo's shoulder, even if he begins throwing at training camp.
Look, the 49ers are going to want a lot in return if they're going to trade Garoppolo within the division. Perhaps the Seahawks, armed with some wiggle room in cap space, pay for a large portion of the 49ers quarterback's $24.2 million cap hit in 2022.
There's also a scenario where the Seahawks are the only team interested in Garoppolo. Every major team that needed a quarterback has addressed it in some way, shape or form at this point in the offseason.
If it's starter-or-bust for Jimmy Garoppolo in San Francisco and Seattle is the only team that comes calling in trade talks, things could get interesting.
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It could be the Seahawks' time to pounce.
1. The Seahawks need a proven signal-caller
It's pretty uninspiring- to say the least- that the Seahawks are looking to the likes of Lock and Smith to lead the franchise in the aftermath of the Russell Wilson era. Trading Wilson was a rebuilding move. So was releasing Bobby Wagner.
But that doesn't mean that the Seahawks can't still attempt to be competitive on the field. They have a talented group of running backs, with last year's breakout performer, Rashaad Penny and rookie Ken Walker.
Stud receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett are still in town, with promising young tight end Noah Fant, who arrived from Denver in the Wilson trade, joining the pass-catching corps.
They also solidified one side of the offensive line in the draft, selecting offensive tackle Charles Cross, who was widely regarded as one of the better pass-protecting prospects this year.
The defense is young and will likely have some growing pains. However, the Seahawks don't look that far off from competing.
Plus, they have the kind of run-first offense that Jimmy Garoppolo is used to playing in. One could make the case that Metcalf, Lockett and Fant would be the best group of pass-catchers he's ever thrown to.
Garoppolo's playoff experience and 35-16 record as a starter would make him an instant upgrade over Smith and Lock. This Seahawks team has the pieces in place to be a fun squad but the only snag in a potential trade involves the inter-divisional nature of the deal.
However, if the Seahawks are interested in remaining competitive, a deal for Garoppolo could be worth a slight overpay in the long run.
Will the Seahawks change their tune and trade for a quarterback like Jimmy Garoppolo? Time will tell.
