Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has become a notable trade candidate after he lost the starting spot to rookie quarterback Aiden O’Connell. Garoppolo has had an up-and-down career as a starter, which began with the San Francisco 49ers before he was traded to Las Vegas. Now that the Raiders seem to not believe in him anymore, could a team familiar to Garoppolo be a good fit?
Garoppolo began his career with the New England Patriots and it was thought that he would be their starter after Tom Brady was finished. Instead, he was dealt to the 49ers, and the Patriots ended up with Mac Jones, which has not worked out in their favor so far.
New England is the worst team in the entire AFC with a 2-7 record, which is one of the team’s worst seasons in history. Head coach Bill Belichick seems to not have full faith in Jones and has benched him throughout the season. If the Patriots made a move for Garoppolo, it could change the whole franchise around, especially since there is some familiarity within the franchise.
If the Patriots end up with a top-five pick in the 2024 NFL draft, they should aim to go for a quarterback like Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Bo Nix, Michael Penix Jr. or J.J. McCarthy. Once they do so, they could sign Garoppolo to start and take the rookie under his wing. The veteran quarterback’s familiarity with Belichick’s scheme could be a very useful teaching moment to whoever they get in the draft.
Garoppolo has compiled 15,494 passing yards, 94 touchdowns and 51 interceptions in his career since joining the league in 2014. He has had a major decline in production this season with Las Vegas, posting just 1,205 passing yards, seven touchdowns and nine interceptions. A reunion could be in order in New England for the veteran quarterback. It could help out the Patriots’ organization, and possibly reignite Garoppolo’s career as he comes to the tail end of his time in the NFL.
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