NFL Rumors: Jimmy Garoppolo Trade Expected, Steelers Favored To Land QB

It’s no secret that the San Francisco 49ers are very likely to trade Jimmy Garoppolo before the 2022 NFL season. The quarterback has admitted that he expects to be sent elsewhere, following the team’s loss against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship Game.

Garoppolo’s fate was sealed last March when 49ers General Manager John Lynch traded three first-round picks in order to move up in the 2021 NFL Draft. San Francisco selected quarterback Trey Lance at No. 3 overall. It was only a matter of time before Lance replaced Garoppolo as the starter.

"I was talking to John yesterday about finding the right destination and whatever the future holds, just doing it the right way," Garoppolo said after being eliminated from the playoffs. "I've got a long career ahead of me. I'm excited about it. I'm excited about the opportunities to come. I just want to go to a place where they want to win. That's really what I'm in this game for. I'm here to play football, win football games and as long as I've got that and good people around me, I think the rest will take care of itself."

Lance was unable to seize the starting job as a rookie. Garoppolo played well enough in the regular season with 3,810 yards, 20 touchdown passes, 12 interceptions and a 98.7 passer rating.

The postseason was a different story. San Francisco made a playoff run in spite of Garoppolo’s performance. The 30-year-old threw for 535 yards and a 72.8 passer rating in three games, likely making it an easier decision for the 49ers to move forward with Lance as the starter.

But Garoppolo did come one win away from reaching the Super Bowl, which he very nearly won as San Francisco’s starter only two years ago.

"As far as the whole trade situation, John has been very clear with it," Garoppolo said. "I think they're trying to do the best for me, I'm trying to do the best for them and we're working together. We haven't really made too much progress on it, but I think things will start happening here pretty quickly."

The Pittsburgh Steelers are viewed as the leading candidate to trade for Garoppolo. The team needs to replace the recently retired Ben Roethlisberger. Garoppolo would be an upgrade over the Steelers’ legend, who was among the league’s worst starters in 2021.

Despite Roethlisberger’s decline, the Steelers reached the playoffs. With a strong defense and talented playmakers on offense, Pittsburgh provides a similar opportunity for Garoppolo to have success.

The Steelers last had a losing record in 2003.

The Washington Commanders are also viewed as a potential landing spot for Garoppolo. Washington went 7-10 in the regular season with Taylor Heinicke as its starting quarterback.

The Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers are also expected to be in the market for a quarterback.