Welcome to the seventh edition of Pombo’s Weekly Football Rewind. This weekly series will go in depth about the latest news, rumors, signings, and trades of the past week.
Sam Darnold Gets Moved to the Carolina Panthers
Last week I wrote about how their has not been many rumors surrounding a Sam Darnold trade. Since it’s a virtual certainty that the Jets will be drafting quarterback Zach Wilson with the second-overall pick of the draft, Darnold seemed poised to be a trade candidate.
But, today Sam Darnold finally got moved.
The Jets agreed to send Sam Darnold to the Carolina Panthers for a sixth-round pick in 2021, and a second and fourth-round pick in 2022.
Darnold gets an opportunity to resurrect his career in Carolina under Matt Rhule and Joe Brady. He goes from a Jets team with virtually no talent at the skill-player positions, to an offense that’s built around Christian McCaffrey along with DJ Moore, and he reunites with Robby Anderson.
The addition of Darnold will likely take the Panthers out of the running for a quarterback in the first round of the draft. Teddy Bridgewater will likely become a possible trade chip, or cap casualty, as this team now belongs to Sam Darnold.
The Jets have been a real mess the past three years, but Darnold does not deserve the blame.
Buy your stock in Sam Darnold now, because he’ll have a career year in 2021. The Panthers are also expected to pick up Darnold’s fifth-year option.
Larry Fitzgerald is Expected to Retire
According to Mike Sando of The Athletic, the 37 year old Larry Fitzgerald is expected to retire after 17 seasons in the NFL.
Nothing is official or certain, but all signs are pointing towards Fitzgerald hanging it up.
He’s currently an unrestricted free agent, and is coming off a season in which he had 54 receptions for 409 yards, and one touchdown.
If this is indeed it for Fitzgerald, he will go down as one of the best wide receivers of all time, and is a sure-fire, first-ballot hall of famer.
He currently has 1,432 receptions for 17,492 yards, and 121 touchdowns.
I’d love to see Fitzgerald end up in Tampa Bay catching passes from Tom Brady, but that seems like a pipe-dream.
The 49ers Want a First-Round Pick for Jimmy Garoppolo
Everyone has a price, and according to Mike Giardi of NFL Network, the 49ers are reportedly willing to deal Jimmy Garoppolo for a first-round pick.
John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan told the media that Garoppolo was a part of their plans in 2021, but, this was never believable.
Last week, I wrote about how it’s near impossible that the 49ers would keep Garoppolo on the 49ers roster in 2021, it’s just not going to happen. It’s all a leverage play from the 49ers.
A first-round pick for a player who has missed 23 games in the last three seasons, may seem steep, but I don’t think that price is ridiculous. But, I do believe that the 49ers could duplicate a trade package similar to how the Carson Wentz’s deal was structured. Wentz’s deal had play-time incentives, and the same model could be used for Garoppolo.
For example, the 49ers could trade Garoppolo to a team for a conditional second-round pick. But, that pick, becomes a first-rounder if Garoppolo plays more than 90% of the offensive snaps. If Garoppolo does not hit the 90%, then the pick remains a second-rounder.
I think something like that is logical, and likely in regard to Garoppolo.
The Bears Believe That They Have Upgraded At The Quarterback Position
The Chicago Bears opened the offseason swinging for the fences. They were the team trying to lure Russell Wilson to Chicago. But, they fell flat on their face, and ended up with the 33 year old, Andy Dalton.
Dalton has had a losing record in each of his last five seasons, but according to Bears general manger, Ryan Pace, they upgraded at the quarterback position.
“He's one of the more complete quarterbacks that we evaluated this year in free agency, and we're excited to have him …We feel like we've gotten better with Andy.”
Ryan Pace is betting his job status on Andy Dalton succeeding?
You might as well start cleaning house now, because Pace and head coach Matt Nagy are as good as gone.
Aaron Rodgers Is Still Unsure About His Future
After a disappointing conclusion to the 2020 season, Aaron Rodgers is still unsure on his future in Green Bay.
Rodgers went on The Pat McAfee Show and reiterated that he’s still not sure how things will end up.
"Nothing's really changed. My future a lot of it is out of my control.”
Rodgers is under contract until 2023, but surely wants a contract extension, or restructure. The Packers could get out of Rodgers’ contract as early as at the end of the 2021 season. When Rodgers referred to the point that, “nothing’s really changed,” I think he’s solely referencing his contract status.
If the Packers don’t reach an agreement with Rodgers before the start of OTA’s, don’t be surprised if he fails to make an appearance.
Rodgers will certainly be playing in Green Bay in 2021. But, the Packers have some work to do, if they want to keep him their long term, because as of now, it’s hard to picture him finishing his career in Green Bay.
Alex Smith to Houston?
The Texans quarterback situation is truly uncertain. But, according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, Alex Smith could find himself in Houston when the dust clears.
Alex Smith was with the Chiefs from 2013-2016, during that time, Texans head coach David Culley was the Chiefs wide receiver coach.
The soon to be 37 year old Alex Smith is coming off a season in which he was 5-1 in his six starts with the Washington Football team, and helped get them to the playoffs.
If Smith is in the fold for the Texans in 2021, what does that mean for the other quarterbacks on the Texans roster?
Well, Deshaun Watson’s status is uncertain and it’s unclear if he’ll face any discipline from the league surrounding his 21 civil lawsuits. Even if he’s cleared from these lawsuits, he’s been adamant on not suiting up for the Texans, ever again. Counting on Watson playing week 1 of the 2021 season seems unlikely.
The Texans signed veteran Tyrod Taylor in the offseason, but has only made four starts in the last three seasons.
Alex Smith would give Houston some depth, and some sort of stability.