Category: 2022 Offseason

ESPN predicts Washington to trade for Jimmy Garoppolo this offseason

Could Jimmy Garoppolo be an option for Washington in 2022?

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The Washington Football Team is expected to make a bold move at quarterback this offseason. Acquiring Aaron Rodgers is a pipe dream for not only Washington but likely the rest of the league, too.

Even if Rodgers stays in Green Bay, other veteran passers could be on the move. Seattle superstar Russell Wilson would be a home run for Washington if the Seahawks moved on from him. Then there is Derek Carr of the Raiders. Washington would likely be interested in Carr if Las Vegas chooses to go in a different direction.

Then, there is always Deshaun Watson, which is also doubtful for different reasons.

So, if Washington strikes out on all of the top potential options, is there another veteran who could start in 2022?

Absolutely, and his name is Jimmy Garoppolo. According to a recent ESPN article in which several league executives and insiders predict 10 bold moves this offseason, one of those moves is Washington trading for Garoppolo.

Here’s what ESPN said of Washington acquiring Garoppolo from the 49ers:

“I have some concerns about Garoppolo outside of the Kyle Shanahan offense, but Washington has some in-breaking stuff that would be similar,” the exec said. “It wouldn’t be as much of an issue if you can define throws for him.”

I don’t get the sense a return for Garoppolo would be that pricey, either. Some teams believe you shouldn’t have to give up a first-round pick for him because it’s known that San Francisco is probably ready to play Lance, thus hurting its leverage. Plus, his $24 million salary on the last year of his deal must be reworked. But Garoppolo has played well enough to garner at least a strong Day 2 pick.

This is sure to be a polarizing topic.

Is a Washington trade for Garoppolo realistic? Yes, I could see it, although I don’t necessarily believe he’s the answer. Many believe head coach Ron Rivera prefers a veteran, which would be a positive for Garoppolo. And it shouldn’t cost too much in compensation, meaning Washington should still be able to hang onto its premium draft picks.

What if Washington traded for Garoppolo and still selected a passer in the first or second round? Someone like Liberty’s Malik Willis. It would help Washington contend in 2022 and still have an eye toward the future. And, if Garoppolo plays well, that’s a good problem for Washington.

The 49ers went big on Trey Lance last April, and he’s the future in San Francisco. Garoppolo has proven in 2022; he can still play.

Garoppolo will start for someone in 2022 — and he should. Will it be in Washington? There are worse options. The problem for Washington fans is Garoppolo isn’t a splashy move. Fans are set on making a splash.

If Washington acquired Garoppolo this offseason, the quarterback position would be in solid hands for 2022.

 

Could Russell Wilson be an option for Washington in 2022?

Russell Wilson wants to “explore his options” this offseason. He’s under contract for two more seasons, but would Washington be a potential option if he demands a trade?

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On Saturday, news broke of Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr potentially being on the move in 2022 if there is a coaching change. We speculated on if Carr was a possible fit for Washington.

On Sunday, Ian Rapoport reported another veteran quarterback wanted to “explore his options” this offseason. That quarterback is Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks.

So, if Washington should do everything in its power to go after Carr if he’s available, that statement also stands true for Wilson. Wilson should absolutely be Washington’s top priority in the 2022 offseason if both are somehow available.

Much like Carr, how attractive is Washington as a destination with a quarterback who will have plenty of options like Wilson?

There has already been smoke this offseason about a potential fit between the Saints and Wilson. That makes too much sense. Wilson playing for Sean Payton would be the perfect pairing and instantly make the Saints a contender again.

Wilson, 33, is from Richmond, Virginia, an eight-time Pro Bowler and a Super Bowl champion. He had a tough season in 2021, as he battled a finger injury that seemed to linger for him, impacting his accuracy at times.

I don’t see why Seattle would move him. But perhaps Wilson wants a change of scenery after 10 years with the Seahawks. It will cost a lot if he is moved — in trade compensation and salary. The salary isn’t an issue for Washington, as the team has plenty of cap room, and owner Dan Snyder would give up virtually anything to pay a top-flight passer such as Wilson.

I wouldn’t count on Wilson wanting to play in Washington if he does want out of Seattle. But that shouldn’t stop Ron Rivera and Martin Mayhew from pursuing him. A quarterback such as Wilson also makes Washington an immediate threat in the NFC.

Seattle has Wilson under contract for two more years, so the Seahawks hold all of the cards here even if Wilson demands a trade.

 

What could a franchise quarterback bring to Washington?

A franchise quarterback can bring more to Washington than just his play on the field.

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What could a franchise quarterback bring to Washington?

Every single fan of the Washington Football Team must by now want and expect the Washington brass to be in hot pursuit of either a franchise QB through a trade or a draft choice in the 2022 offseason.

Interestingly enough, during Saturday’s NFL playoff game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Cincinnati Bengals, a brief discussion was launched by Mike Tirico and Drew Brees regarding Bengals’ cornerback Ricardo Allen’s comment concerning a franchise quarterback.

Brees mentioned that prior to the game, he had asked Allen why he had decided to (leave Atlanta and) come to the Bengals. Allen, who spent the first six years of his career playing in Atlanta picking off 11 passes for interceptions, was reported to have simply replied, “Joe Burrow, he is the real deal.”

Indeed Burrow has shown himself in his second NFL season to be “the real deal.” The 6-foot-4 221-pound Burrow remained healthy almost all of this season, starting 16 games, and was the NFL leader in completion percentage (70.4%), yards gained per pass attempt (8.9) and adjusted yards gained per pass attempt (9.0).

Keep in mind Burrow put up these numbers despite not having the best of protection from the Bengals’ offensive line. Burrow also has the distinction of also leading the NFL in QB sacks in 2021, going down 51 times for -370 yards, both league highs.

Brees continued he was not surprised to hear Allen’s response because the NFL is now such “a quarterback-driven league.” So free agents are aware that if they come to Cincinnati joining Burrow,  it “will give them a chance to win an NFL championship.”

Consequently, I could not help but instantly respond, “Hmmm, would NFL quality free agents want to come to Washington to be able to play with their current quarterbacks on the roster?”

Of course, I am well aware money does talk. But listening to Brees Saturday, he is convinced that it will be increasingly true that free agents will be looking for teams in which they feel the quarterback can provide them a real opportunity to win an NFL championship.

Thus, what can a franchise quarterback bring to Washington? He can bring along some veteran players who want to be provided the opportunity to play for a quarterback they are confident can lead the team to an NFL championship.

 

Washington GM Martin Mayhew said team offered Brandon Scherff record contract

Martin Mayhew said Washington offered Brandon Scherff a contract that would’ve made him the highest-paid guard in NFL history.

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Washington Pro Bowl guard Brandon Scherff has played on two consecutive franchise tags and is set to become an unrestricted free agent in March. On Monday, Scherff reiterated his desire to remain in Washington for the remainder of his career.

Like Kirk Cousins before him, Scherff’s desire to remain in Washington is nothing more than lip service.

Washington general manager Martin Mayhew and head coach Ron Rivera met with the media Tuesday for their season-ending press conference and talked in-depth about the future of the WFT.

As expected, Scherff’s name came up.

Mayhew discussed how Scherff is an outstanding player and leader, and those types of players aren’t easy to replace. That’s why Washington did everything in its power, presumably last offseason, to keep Scherff in D.C. for the rest of his career.

“I think our fans should know; we’ve made every effort to get something done,” Mayhew said. “We’ve continued to work on that. Last year we made an offer to be the highest-paid offensive guard in the history of the National Football League. and we’ll keep that dialogue going on and see where things go.”

That certainly changes things.

Most fans presumed the front office lowballed Scherff much like Bruce Allen did when he told the media Washington made Cousins a “record” contract offer in 2017, when, in fact, Allen didn’t reveal the specifics of the proposal.

I tend to side with Mayhew here. Why would he lie? You can criticize Dan Snyder and some of the shenanigans of the Washington organization, but Mayhew doesn’t have a history of saying these types of things for them only to be proven otherwise.

It made sense for Scherff to play on the second franchise tag once it was applied. You can’t blame him. That was around $32 million guaranteed over two years for his position. And then he can sign a multi-year deal worth even more. That’s smart business. Coincidentally enough, Washington can thank Cousins for establishing that path.

Does this mean Scherff wants out of Washington? No, it doesn’t. We are about to find out how strong Scherff’s desire is to remain in Washington.

While Scherff made his fifth Pro Bowl in 2021, he missed six games and hasn’t played every game since 2016.