(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
According to FanSided National NFL Insider, Matt Lombardo -- the Buccaneers, Steelers and Broncos are expected to make a “strong push” to acquire 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
The 49ers season ended on Sunday after losing to the Rams in the NFC Championship Game. It also marked the end of the Garoppolo era, as the 49ers plan to build their future around Trey Lance who they drafted at third overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. And it's been reported that Garoppolo's agent Don Yee is already working on a trade partner with the 49ers.
The talk of the Steelers trading with the 49ers for Garoppolo has been mentioned frequently lately, as a lot of people see Garoppolo as a fit in Pittsburgh since Mike Tomlin is always coaching for the playoffs, and it's been reported by Jay Glazer of FOX Sports several times that Tomlin is interested in a veteran quarterback and not starting all over with a rookie.
The issue is, however, would the Steelers want to give up a second-round pick for a bridge quarterback like Garoppolo? Especially when they have so many needs elsewhere than quarterback.
Garoppolo is definitely a better option than Mason Rudolph. You'll find no argument there, but he's on the books for over $25 million in 2022. That's a lot of money and draft capital to give up for a stop-gap quarterback. Maybe they can work out a contract extension and have Garoppolo mentor the next franchise quarterback, who the Steelers most likely will draft in 2023.
Garoppolo said he wants to be sent to a winning situation, so on the surface, I can see how people think the Steelers make sense.
"I just want to go to a place where they want to win," Garoppolo said. "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."
According to Pro Football Focus Bet, Garoppolo is at +300 to be the next quarterback for the Steelers.