The 2023 NFL quarterback carousel will be extremely active this offseason with Aaron Rodgers, Derek Carr, Jimmy Garoppolo, Daniel Jones and Geno Smith all potentially available. While every signal-caller is generating massive interest, there seems to be a clear pecking order.
Jones and Smith are the likeliest candidates to remain with their teams. The New York Giants are now open to using the franchise tag on their young quarterback after learning of his asking price. In Seattle, the Seahawks are confident their Pro Bowl quarterback will re-sign this spring.
Related: Jimmy Garoppolo to draw significant interest from teams
It leaves Rodgers, Carr and Garoppolo as the top remaining options that teams are interested in. Naturally, it appears many around the NFL share a consensus evaluation of the three signal-callers when it comes to preference.
- Jimmy Garoppolo career stats: 99.6 QB rating, 87-42 TD-INT, 67.6% completion rate
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Garoppolo is viewed as the third-best option on the quarterback market this offseason.
“Jimmy Garoppolo is expected to be really number 3 in the pecking order behind Derek Carr and Aaron Rodgers in this quarterback carousel.”
Jeremy Fowler on free-agent QB Jimmy Garoppolo
Even with quarterback Brock Purdy delaying elbow surgery and emerging concerns with former first-round pick Trey Lance, the San Francisco 49ers made it clear Garoppolo won’t return.
Related: Relationship between Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers ‘soured’
It comes as no surprise that teams are prioritizing Rodgers. Despite his indecisiveness regarding the future and the potential asking price to acquire him from the Green Bay Packers, he brings more to the table than Garoppolo.
While Carr isn’t as efficient as Garoppolo and he comes with a big contract price, he performed well with less talent and worse coaching around him than the former 49ers’ quarterback had. As a result, teams likely see more upside with Carr.
Examining Jimmy Garoppolo’s market
Even with NFL teams viewing him as the third-best option available, outside of the quarterback class in the 2023 NFL Draft, Garoppolo will have plenty of suitors.
- Jimmy Garoppolo stats (2022): 103 QB rating, 16-4 TD-INT, 67.2% completion rate
If the Jets miss out on Carr and Rodgers, Garoppolo likely becomes their immediate target. He offers stability and familiarity, two things New York needs. He would land in an extremely favorable situation and would be enough of an upgrade over Zach Wilson for the Jets to become a playoff team in 2023.
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Fowler mentioned the Atlanta Falcons and Houston Texans as two potential suitors for Garoppolo. After hiring DeMeco Ryans, who knows Garoppolo from their years in San Francisco, Houston could use the veteran quarterback as a bridge starter until the signal-caller it selects No. 2 overall is ready to take over.
Atlanta is a more intriguing option. The NFC South is in disarray, with all four teams involved in the quarterback carousel. If the Falcons land Garoppolo and finish with a strong 2023 draft class, they would have a viable shot at winning the division next season.
