This past week, FS1's Colin Cowherd looked at 12 NFL franchises and predicted the starting quarterback for each (h/t Daniel Bates of The Spun). The host of The Herd envisions Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers remaining with their respective teams. However, there is some movement, like Mitchell Trubisky to the Indianapolis Colts and Carson Wentz to the Denver Broncos.
Cowherd sees the San Francisco 49ers sticking with their plan, making last year's No. 3 overall pick, Trey Lance, the starting quarterback in Santa Clara.
Sorry, Tom Brady hopefuls.
Cowherd has also speculated that all the talk about Lance not being ready to play has been gamesmanship by the 49ers, who could be strategically leaking information to raise Garoppolo's value.
"I think this is a smokescreen that he's not ready because they want to get more for [Jimmy] Garoppolo," Cowherd explained. "I think [Lance is] going to be raw, but I think they're going to give him as many snaps as they can—OTAs, preseason, camps—let it run. ... I mean, they gave up three first-round picks. That's a lot of capital—and a third[-round pick]."
Most also expect the 49ers to part ways with their starter since 2017. Cowherd predicts the 30-year-old Jimmy Garoppolo lands with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, replacing the recently-retired Brady.
What would you change? pic.twitter.com/pp9WLvSvzv
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) February 24, 2022
"I don't know when it happens," Cowherd said, "but the Buccaneers have the kind of roster that they could give a starting player to the Niners in the secondary or O-line. So I think what San Francisco wants for Garoppolo is a draft pick and a starter, and Tampa's got the depth to do that.
"By the way, Jimmy is 21-7 on the road as a starting quarterback, second only in league history only to Patrick Mahomes. Why? Garoppolo is gutty. Say what you want about him, he can be limited, but I trust him in big spots. I shouldn't say that. [Instead, I should say] I think he gives you everything he has, he's got an alpha in him, and I think for two years, he'd work."