Even with a shoulder surgery that will put him on the shelf into the summer, the Steelers are reportedly interested in San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
Analyst Jordan Schultz says that Pittsburgh and the Washington Commanders are “highly intrigued by Jimmy G” according to people he’s talked with.
Schultz adds that Steelers offensive coordinator Matt Canada “wants to deploy (the run, pass option), not dissimilar 2 the offense Garoppolo ran with the Niners.”
ESPN’s Field Yates projects the Steelers will start the 2022 season with Garoppolo saying, “With (Trey) Lance forecasted as the starter in San Francisco, Jimmy G needs a new home and Pittsburgh checks some of the proper boxes. The Steelers have a massive need, cap space to afford him and are far enough down in the draft order in a class that doesn’t offer any surefire quarterback prospects that a veteran trade makes sense to keep this team in the playoff mix.”
49ers general manager John Lynch said on Wednesday that with so many teams in need of a quarterback that Garoppolo is “obviously a guy they’d look at,” adding they are listening to offers but that he is still a part of the team.”
NFL insider John Clayton tells The PM Team that with his surgery, he expects it will cost a 4th or 5th round draft pick to acquire Garoppolo, down from what he thought would cost a 2nd rounder before the procedure.