The New England Patriots are reportedly trying to bring a familiar face back to the franchise after their dismal first season without longtime back Tom Brady.
During an episode of his podcast last week, Greg Bedard of the Boston Sports Journal reported that Jimmy Garoppolo – who traded the Patriots to the San Francisco 49ers in 2017 – is the Patriots’ “Plan A” quarterback.
“If they have to set it up, exactly the optimal situation for the Patriots for the coming season, it’s Jimmy G coming back here,” Bedard said. “And of course, it all depends on the 49ers doing something.”
The Patriots have signed Cam Newton to be their starter before the 2020 NFL season. New England ended the year with a 7-9 record and missed the playoffs.
Newton, who spent nine seasons with the Carolina Panthers, had 2,657 yards, eight passes and ten interceptions in 15 games. He also had 12 hurried touches.
A second Patriots season for Newton seems unlikely, and it does not look like New England will be sold on Jarrett Stidham as their future starter.
Last month, The Athletic reported that the Patriots called every team with a potential goal for a quarterback brand, though that pursuit never gained traction. According to the publication, the Patriots are also busy investigating the top backs in the 2021 draft class of the NFL.
But it appears to be an alternative option, as the Patriots want a reunion with Garoppolo, who they selected in the second round of the 2014 draft. A little over three months after the 2017 Halloween trade, Garoppolo signed a $ 137.5 million five-year contract with the 49ers. He has two more years left on the deal.
His first full season as the starter of the Niners in 2018 ended abruptly in Week 3 when he contracted a torn ACL. Garoppolo returned in 2019 to help San Francisco lead to a 13-3 record and an appearance in the Super Bowl, which the 49ers lost to the Chiefs.
Injuries limited Garoppolo, 29, to six starts in 2020. During the season, there were rumors that the Niners were ready to move out of Garoppolo, and there is still talk of a divorce despite public support from the organization.
‘Do I believe 49ers general manager John Lynch when he claims Garoppolo will be his starter in 2021? Of course not, ”NFL insider Michael Lombardi recently wrote in The Athletic. “They’re too active, too aggressive to take it back another year with someone they don’t quite trust.”
The 49ers called the Panthers over Teddy Bridgewater, according to The Athletic, another sign that they are looking for a new quarterback.
If the 49ers are really ready to dump Garoppolo, it looks like Bill Belichick will wait with open arms to welcome him back to Foxborough.