Analyst predicts Baker Mayfield to Seahawks, Jimmy Garoppolo to Panthers

The 2022 NFL Draft came and went weeks ago, and neither Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield nor San Francisco 49ers veteran Jimmy Garoppolo has been traded or released. 

Mayfield has clearly lost his starting job to Deshaun Watson but is owed $18.858 million of fully guaranteed salary for 2022, which allegedly is making it difficult for Cleveland to find any buyer for his services. Garoppolo's status is more complicated, though, as there remain questions about if the 49ers are ready to make 2021 rookie Trey Lance their full-time starter this summer. 

Elsewhere around the league, the Seattle Seahawks are on track to have 2019 second-round pick Drew Lock compete with veteran Geno Smith for their starting gig. The Carolina Panthers, meanwhile, have Sam Darnold atop their depth chart and third-round draft choice Matt Corral as their QB2. 

During a Monday appearance on "The Rich Eisen Show," former player and current analyst Ross Tucker explained why he believes Mayfield and Garoppolo will have new football homes before the regular season starts in September. 

"Carolina, we know Matt Rhule is on the hot seat," Tucker said, according to David Bonilla of 49ers WebZone. "Is he really going into this year with a guy like Sam Darnold and Matt Corral? I just don't believe that."

Garoppolo had surgery to repair a torn capsule in his throwing shoulder in March and likely won't be cleared to resume throwing until late June or at some point in July. It's assumed that timeline will keep him attached to the 49ers through the end of spring. 

"I think the Panthers probably believe that they're kind of in the driver's seat to be able to get either Jimmy G or Baker Mayfield because the Niners wouldn't want to send Jimmy G up to Seattle," Tucker added during his comments. "I doubt that. ... I still don't see Jimmy G going to Seattle. I don't see that happening.

"Once July comes around, once it gets real with Jimmy's health and with Baker Mayfield reporting to training camp ... I think it will sort itself out, probably with Baker going to Seattle and Jimmy going to Carolina." 

Theoretically, such a window would give other teams plenty of time to consider trading for Mayfield or Garoppolo. For now, it seems neither will be going anywhere anytime soon.