4 quarterbacks NOLA Saints could trade for in 2022 offseason

3. Jimmy Garoppolo

A former second-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, Jimmy Garoppolo won two Super Bowls during his time in the Patriots’ organization but never took a snap in either of those championship games. When he got an opportunity to start, it was only a matter of time before the Patriots traded him and the 49ers were the team to land him.

Garoppolo might not light up the stat sheet but the guy wins games. Yes, QB wins-losses aren’t a real stat but it’s hard to deny the effect Jimmy G has when he’s on the field.

The Niners traded up to take Trey Lance with the third overall pick in last year’s draft and it’s felt like the approach they’ve been taking there is similar to how the Chiefs treated Patrick Mahomes as a rookie — Have a veteran quarterback start and mentor the rookie, then trade the veteran in the offseason.

Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports discussed how Garoppolo getting traded in the offseason is probable due to the financial aspect. He’ll be a free agent after next season so why not ship him off and get something for him now?

The problem with New Orleans potentially being interested in the former Eastern Illinois product is that it’s unlikely they can afford him. Garoppolo is due to make $25 million in 2022 and with the Saints sitting $71 million under the salary cap, that’s going to make it a challenge to afford the quarterback.

Garoppolo could thrive with the Saints but unless they create an immense amount of cap space this offseason, landing him is pretty improbable.