Jimmy Garoppolo could become a top-10 NFL quarterback. That's what Max Kellerman of ESPN's First Take believes. To do so, he'll still need to prove himself in the playoffs. Garoppolo has shown himself to be a clutch passer during the regular season. His playoff-game performances earlier this year, however, have fueled the criticism from his doubters.
The Philadelphia Eagles have a franchise quarterback by the name of Carson Wentz, a 27-year-old signal-caller who many believe to be a rising star in the league. If Kellerman were to rank NFL quarterbacks right now, he might have to put Garoppolo ahead of Wentz.
That caused a bit of a heated debate on Thursday between Kellerman and Damien Woody.
"I don't know if you replace Jimmy Garoppolo with Carson Wentz, [the 49ers] play in the Super Bowl," Kellerman said during a segment on First Take. "The fact of the matter is, while he has much better upside, Garoppolo is consistent ... It's ironic that he blew it in the Super Bowl because he's consistent when you need him to be."
Added Kellerman: "When Wentz has missed time, the Eagles have been fine. When Garoppolo has missed time, they go from in the Super Bowl to the worst team in football. That's Garoppolo. It's not his teammates."
That fired up Woody, who asked Kellerman who he would take between the two quarterbacks as an effort to get the First Take host to admit that Wentz is better.
"Going forward, I would take Wentz because Wentz has more upside. Wentz is such a talent," Kellerman responded. "But right now, who's played better in the last couple of years? Garoppolo. Last season, rather? Garoppolo. Clearly he played better."
.@damienwoody: "You think Jimmy Garoppolo is better than Carson Wentz?@maxkellerman: "Who's played better in the last couple years? Garoppolo." pic.twitter.com/AFeEBUeFQa
— First Take (@FirstTake) July 2, 2020
Wentz had a career season last year, completing 63.9 percent of his passes for 4,039 yards with 27 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. Some will point out that he did so with far less talent, too. Although, you could make the argument that the NFC West is far more competitive than the NFC East.
Garoppolo, by comparison, completed 69.1 percent of his passes for 3,978 yards with 27 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
Which quarterback would you take? Vote below.