The anticipated game of musical chairs among NFL quarterbacks continued with another reported move on Wednesday. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Indianapolis Colts have shipped Carson Wentz to the Washington Commanders.
Almost immediately, NFL Twitter started speculating about what Wentz's move means for the 49ers and Jimmy Garoppolo, who reportedly underwent successful shoulder surgery Tuesday.
For those keeping score at home, Aaron Rodgers is staying put with the Green Bay Packers, Russell Wilson has been shipped to the Denver Broncos and now Wentz is Washington-bound. All in the past 24 hours. That leaves a few possible trade partners for the 49ers, including the Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers and now the Colts.
According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, Indianapolis should now be considered a potential landing spot for Garoppolo.
Garoppolo was connected with Washington throughout the offseason, but when one NFL door closes, another one opens.
We can also learn more information from this trade haul that the Colts received for Wentz. Trying to gauge Garoppolo's value off Wilson's megadeal was a bit of a guessing game, but Wentz and Jimmy G are probably in the same stratosphere when it comes to trade value.
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As Schefter noted, the deal is centered around two third-round picks from Washington, one of which can be upgraded to a second-rounder if Wentz plays 70 percent of the season's snaps. The Colts also move up five spots from No. 47 overall to No. 42 overall in this year's second round, but that's pretty negligible in the grand scheme of things.
It begs the question – what can the 49ers get for Jimmy G? Two third-rounders? A second- and a third-rounder? Two seconds? Just getting their hands on a No. 2 would have to be considered a trade victory.
All signs point to the 49ers moving Garoppolo soon, as the NFL league calendar flips at 1 p.m. PT next Wednesday, when free agency opens and trades become official. It would behoove the 49ers to move their $25 million man before that natural deadline.
