The quarterback position for the Philadelphia Eagles has been at the forefront of rumors since Carson Wentz took a plunge during the 2020 season.
With big-named players such as DeShaun Watson, Aaron Rodgers, and Russell Wilson, the Eagles stuck with second-year quarterback Jalen Hurts as the team went 9-8 and made the playoffs. Even with a better-than-expected year, the position remains a constant topic of discussion.
While much remains unknown, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo won’t be in the running. Per John McMullen, the Eagles have no interest in trading for the 30-year-old this offseason.
Garoppolo, who has been with the 49ers since 2017 is on his way out of San Francisco in the near future. This season he completed 3,810 passing yards for 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The 49ers saw the post-season, losing to their California rival, the Los Angeles Rams, in the Conference Championships.
GAROPPOLO VS. HURTS
The question that remains is, are the Eagles making the right move by passing up on Garoppolo?
When compared to Jalen Hurts, Garoppolo’s passing stats are superior. Hurts finished the season with 3,144 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. His completion percentage was 61.3 (compared to Garoppolo’s 68.3). However, Hurts has an insane run game which Garoppolo can’t complete with. Hurts led the Eagles in rushing yards (784) with ten rushing touchdowns — Garoppolo, 51 rushing yards.
Money is another massive factor. Garoppolo is under contract through 2022 with a $25 million paycheck. Hurts is entering the third year of his rookie deal with a $1.6 million cap hit. As it stands, the Eagles have $21.5 million in cap space and ten draft picks, including three in the first round. While Roseman can use any combination of dollars and draft selections, it would be senseless to think he’d use it on Jimmy G.
Hurts certainly has to perfect his footwork and his passer accuracy, but if Philadelphia uses their draft selections to build around a rising quarterback, instead of replacing him, the Eagles could be on their way to another postseason.
