This offseason is going to be filled with NFL rumors linking multiple big-name quarterbacks in trades. According to some notes, it’s going to be unlike anything we’ve seen before.
That will obviously include the Indianapolis Colts, who are looking to replace the recently-retired Philip Rivers. Meanwhile, other reports suggest that the San Francisco 49ers are looking to upgrade over Jimmy Garoppolo.
Could the two potentially be trade partners. That’s not yet known. What we do know is that Indianapolis and San Francisco discussed a Garoppolo blockbuster last offseason.
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Indianapolis Colts, San Francisco 49ers previously discussed Jimmy Garoppolo trade
“The question, then, becomes whether GM Chris Ballard and coach Frank Reich would see Stafford as a Band-Aid or more than that,” Albert Breer of MMQB reported Monday. “The team went with a Band-Aid last year, in Rivers, after taking a shot with Jacoby Brissett in 2019 (and that was after Jimmy Garoppolo’s name briefly came up in the DeForest Buckner trade talks with San Francisco).”
There’s no telling whether San Francisco and Indianapolis would reengage in trade talks this offseason. NFL rumors have linked the Colts to Matthew Stafford since Rivers announced his retirement at the age of 39 earlier in January.
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Colts general manager Chris Ballard believes his team is a Super Bowl contender with the right quarterback under center. That became evident during an 11-win 2020 season. As for Garoppolo, he played in just six games this past season with the 49ers after shockingly leading them to the Super Bowl following the 2019 campaign.
All things equal, it stands to reason Indianapolis would view Stafford as a better option than Garoppolo. Remember, the longtime Detroit Lions quarterback wants to be traded. It’s something the Lions’ new brass is willing to work out. The cost of a Stafford trade could lead to Indianapolis, once again, circling back to Garoppolo.
It’s important to note given that the Colts and 49ers worked out a blockbuster DeForest Buckner trade ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft. They obviously have a good working relationship.
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What to make of NFL rumors linking the 49ers to quarterbacks
Much like Indianapolis, the rumor mill in San Francisco has included potential upgrades over Garoppolo. The 49ers have been linked to Matthew Stafford in trade talks. In fact, they are considered one of the favorites to land the former No. 1 pick.
Meanwhile, the 49ers have also been brought up in discussions surrounding disgruntled Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. While that would take one of the largest returns in a trade in NFL history, the idea of teaming Watson up with Kyle Shanahan has to be appealing to San Francisco’s brass.
Read More: 4 most realistic Deshaun Watson trade offers
All the while, we’re now hearing talk that likely NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers might want to move on from the Green Bay Packers following their loss in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday. Obviously, the 49ers will be linked to the hometown quarterback should NFL rumors pick up in that regard moving forward.
Stay tuned, the quarterback position is going to be the talk of the NFL offseason. It will be interesting to see which domino falls first.