Could the Carolina Panthers pounce if Jimmy Garoppolo is released?

Could the Carolina Panthers pounce if the San Francisco 49ers end up releasing quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo before the 2022 season?

There remains a significant amount of intrigue about what the Carolina Panthers are planning to do at the quarterback position. Sam Darnold’s strong start to OTAs has obviously helped his cause in pursuit of one final opportunity as a starter, and the team also has hope that Matt Corral can eventually emerge as a long-term option under center after trading up to acquire the Ole Miss product at No. 94 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Matt Rhule and Scott Fitterer will sit down following the team’s mandatory minicamp and examine every position. The Panthers also have $24.59 million in salary-cap space remaining to strengthen if the right opportunities come along.

Another veteran coming on board to assume starting responsibilities hasn’t been ruled out and nor should it when one considers how much Darnold has struggled to produce the numbers needed to become a successful signal-caller at the next level.

One potential option is Jimmy Garoppolo, who is now surplus to requirements with the San Francisco 49ers as the organization moves forward with Trey Lance after they gave up a substantial amount of capital to surge up to No. 3 overall in 2021 and select the North Dakota State product.

Garoppolo is recovering well from offseason shoulder surgery and plans to get back down to business in July, which would fit in well with training camps beginning across the league during that span.

This is a station that’s obviously being monitored by the Panthers. Failed moves at the most important position on the field in recent years have cost them in a big way, but it has not stopped those in power from possibly doing the same again ahead of an important third season for Rhule.

Carolina also boasts plenty of leverage if they pursued someone like Garoppolo or Baker Mayfield. The Niners and Cleveland Browns are looking to rid themselves of these players, which means the Panthers could get a good price and even have them take on a big part of their hefty salaries for good measure.

Carolina Panthers could swoop if Jimmy Garoppolo is released

However, there is a growing belief around the NFL that San Francisco could end up releasing Garoppolo entirely if the right offer comes along.

ESPN’s respected insider Dan Graziano spoke to several executives and front office personnel, who believed that the most likely scenario is that both Garoppolo and Mayfield are released this offseason.

"“The majority of the people to whom I spoke for this story believe both players (Mayfield and Garoppolo) will likely end up being released. A couple of people thought Garoppolo might still draw trade interest, provided an acquiring team could work out something to knock down the salary or spread it out over a couple of years.”"

This would play into the Panthers’ hands even more. A situation they took advantage of last year when a deal was worked out with the New England Patriots for All-Pro cornerback Stephon Gilmore just a few short hours before his release.

The market for Garoppolo would likely increase in the event he became a free agent, but Graziano also noted that it makes no financial sense for the Niners to go forward with this scenario until Week 1 comes along given the cap considerations.

"“As it stands now, San Francisco could cut Garoppolo and take on only $1.4 million in dead money against its salary cap. If it waits until after Week 1 to cut him, that number would jump to $26.4 million.”"

The Panthers are being patient before making their play. Something that is in keeping with their methodical approach to recruitment during the second offseason of Fitterer’s tenure as general manager.

In an ideal world, getting another quarterback in before a pivotal training camp in Spartanburg is something the Panthers can accomplish. However, they might also decide to stand pat with Darnold and Corral in the hope that one can provide the spark needed in 2022.