This week, NFL insider Ian Rapoport joined The Rich Eisen Show and cycled through the quarterback rumors across the league. He doesn't envision anything happening with Deshaun Watson and the Houston Texans anytime soon—if at all.
"Maybe by the draft, and honestly, maybe not even then," Rapoport told Eisen.
The insider isn't getting a sense that a trade of Russell Wilson in Seattle is imminent. The biggest question mark surrounding that situation is a replacement for the Seahawks, contenders every season. That's tough to continue without competent quarterback play.
Rapoport eventually landed on the San Francisco 49ers and Jimmy Garoppolo, who has been the subject of a lot of offseason speculation. Many feel that San Francisco's decision-makers would welcome an upgrade if an opportunity presented itself. However, for now, an opportunity hasn't, so the team has seemingly committed to Garoppolo in 2021.
"I don't get the sense Jimmy G is going anywhere," Rapoport said. "If the Niners could upgrade, would they trade him? They probably would. I just don't know who would be an upgrade. So, I think he sticks there."
Took a trip around the #NFLFreeAgency QB Carousel with @RapSheet and #49ers fans will want to listen closely:#NFL #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/YvujuisvgI
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) March 11, 2021
East Coast reporters have speculated that Garoppolo might end up back with Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots. The quarterback was supposed to be the heir apparent to Tom Brady before being traded to the 49ers in 2017.
Now, Brady is gone, and New England could be desperate for a starting quarterback. Belichick and his staff reportedly love Garoppolo. Could a Garoppolo-Patriots reunion come to fruition?
"The Patriots would make a lot of sense," Rapoport commented. "It's the same thing as the Seahawks; the 49ers—obviously, last year, they were bad—but they seem like a team that's ready to compete. Who is going to be their quarterback? That's the main problem with all this stuff.
"So much of this quarterback talk is out in the open now, which is great because it gives us something to talk about, and also, it's fun, but the answer is still, 'Who is their quarterback that is better than they previously had?' And I cannot find an answer to that question (for the 49ers)."