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The San Francisco 49ers drafted quarterback Trey Lance with the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft only to watch him sit and learn behind Jimmy Garoppolo for basically his entire rookie season despite the latter dealing with a thumb injury towards the end.
The 49ers do not have any intentions of making it a second straight year of tutelage for Lance and are instead inclined to hand over the reins to him next season. That leaves Garoppolo in search of a new team, and if he has his way, it will be with a squad that is committed to winning.
So, who could be the franchises that are interested in the services of an established veteran quarterback? Three teams immediately stuck out like a sore thumb. Pun intended.
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Three best trade destinations for 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo
3. Denver Broncos
The Broncos might be one of the biggest players in the Aaron Rodgers sweepstakes, but assuming Rodgers remains with the Green Bay Packers, that leaves open the possibility that the Broncos could make a push for Garoppolo. Few teams have the defense, offensive line, and skill players that the Broncos can throw at you, giving Jimmy G more weapons than he ever has before while keeping a comparable defense.
What keeps the Broncos no. 3 on the list is the looming threat of Rodgers joining the Broncos. The Garoppolo trade is likely to happen before the Packers make any decision on Rodgers, so if the Broncos want to wait to see if the three-time MVP becomes available, they may miss out on Garoppolo altogether.
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I’d say there’s a pretty good chance Jimmy G ends up with one of the Dolphins, Saints, Bucs, Panthers, Broncos or Raiders, all of whom the 49ers face next season
— Brian Witt (@Wittnessed) February 1, 2022
2. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers will be in search of a starting quarterback for the first time since they drafted Ben Roethlisberger in 2004. Do they want to lean on a rookie with the number of veterans they have on their team who want to win now? That seems unlikely, so even if they select a rookie in the 2022 NFL Draft, do not expect him to be the starter in 2022.
In fact, if the Steelers can land Garoppolo in a trade, the overwhelming likelihood would be that they immediately extend him. The team has been notoriously frugal with draft picks and doesn't figure to deviate from that this offseason. If the Steelers are going to give up the pick/s that it takes to get Garoppolo, it won't be as a one-year rental, rest assured.
CBS Sports on Jimmy G. maybe landing with the #Steelers pic.twitter.com/i2dyFq1Iec
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) February 1, 2022
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers check in as the top team in the Garoppolo sweepstakes because they give him the best supporting cast. The team won the Super Bowl last season and took eventual NFC champion Los Angeles Rams down to the wire in the postseason this year. If Tampa Bay can pull the trigger on the Garoppolo trade in the coming days, it will allow the squad enough time to pitch Jimmy G to impending free agents.
Replacing Tom Brady will not be easy in any way, but adding a guy like Garoppolo might be exactly what the Buccaneers need to keep their core players from bolting in free agency. Money talks, but so does the shot at a Super Bowl and if the Buccaneers add Garoppolo, they give themselves a much better shot in doing so. That's really all you can ask for.
