The Carolina Panthers opted not to select a quarterback with the No. 6 overall pick in this year’s draft. Instead they took North Carolina State offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu. This could be a significant development for the 49ers in their offseason-long quest to trade quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
Carolina was one of the teams tied to Garoppolo early in the offseason before shoulder surgery derailed his trade market. Now with no rookie signal caller on the roster they could go searching for a veteran QB to take over and help the contend in 2022. Garoppolo could fit that mold.
He has just one year left on his contract and underwent surgery on his throwing shoulder to fix an injury he suffered in the wild-card playoff vs. the Dallas Cowboys. He’s scheduled to be throwing by late June or early July, giving the Panthers time to evaluate him before making a pre-training camp move.
The Ekwonu selection doesn’t guarantee Carolina will look to trade for a veteran, but it certainly opens the door wider, which is good news for San Francisco.
