NFL Trade Rumors: Browns, 49ers Trying To Move Baker Mayfield, Jimmy Garoppolo

Two prominent starting quarterbacks remain on the trade block in the 2022 NFL offseason. The Cleveland Browns are trying to trade Baker Mayfield, and the San Francisco 49ers still have hopes of unloading Jimmy Garoppolo.

When might either quarterback be dealt? The answer to that question is unclear, considering it had been assumed that Garoppolo would be among the first signal-callers moved.

There was momentum for a Garoppolo deal during February's NFL Scouting Combine, according to 49ers General Manager John Lynch. Then it was announced that shoulder surgery would sideline Garoppolo for a few months, thus decreasing the likelihood of a trade.

"I think, ultimately, the teams that we were closest with, the surgery gave them pause and they ended up going in other directions," Lynch told reporters at the NFL owners meetings.

After the 49ers lost to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship Game, it was clear that the team would trade Garoppolo and make Trey Lance the starting quarterback in his second season. Without a notable trade offer for the veteran, there’s now a chance that Garoppolo could still be on the roster in 2022.

A Mayfield trade didn’t appear likely until free agency began and Cleveland started its pursuit of Deshaun Watson. The Browns made a surprise blockbuster trade with the Houston Texans, effectively ending Mayfield’s tenure in Cleveland.

The Browns are unlikely to get a high draft pick in return for Mayfield. With Watson on the roster and the relationship between Mayfield and the organization irreparably damaged, opposing teams know that Cleveland has to trade the former No. 1 overall pick.

"I think everyone understands the situation, and we're hoping that it is resolved soon," Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said at the owners meetings.

The number of teams that are searching for a starting quarterback has dwindled since the start of free agency. The Denver Broncos, Washington Commanders and Indianapolis Colts have all traded for quarterbacks. The Green Bay Packers re-signed Aaron Rodgers. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers only briefly needed a quarterback until Tom Brady decided to return for the 2022 season.

The Pittsburgh Steelers, once viewed as a leading candidate for Garoppolo, signed Mitchell Trubisky. The Atlanta Falcons signed Marcus Mariota after trading Matt Ryan.

The Seattle Seahawks have a hole at quarterback after trading Russell Wilson. The Carolina Panthers are a candidate to upgrade the position, as well.