New England Patriots: Fate leading Jimmy Garoppolo back to Belichick
Will misfortune lead Jimmy Garoppolo back to the New England Patriots as the long-term predecessor to Tom Brady?
Forget tanking for Trevor Lawrence or somehow ending up with Sam Darnold, the New England Patriots quarterback of the future may just be Jimmy Garoppolo after all as fate seems to be moving him back in the direction of Bill Belichick.
Now, that would involve the San Francisco 49ers moving on from Garoppolo, but say they decide the Eastern Illinois product is just not the answer, the Patriots would be the “logical” fit for Jimmy G.
In writing about Garoppolo’s potential landing spots, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell highlighted how the New England Patriots are not just a logical fit, but an “obvious” one.
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"“There would be one team that looms as an obvious fit for Garoppolo, of course,” Barnwell wrote. “The Patriots will have more cap space than the 49ers and don’t have a solution under contract for 2021. Cam Newton and Brian Hoyer are both free agents after the season, leaving Jarrett Stidham as the only quarterback under contract. They have publicly suggested that they think Stidham can be their quarterback of the future, but he has thrown four interceptions in 27 career pass attempts.”"
There are not many Patriots fans who would disagree with Barnwell, at least not this one.
Bill Belichick will get his chance to coach Jimmy Garoppolo again
In looking back to that shocking 2017 trade deadline trade that sent Jimmy Garoppolo to the 49ers in exchange for a second-round pick, the Patriots got some benefit from the deal despite Bill Belichick being forced to trade his “next guy” to have an age Tom Brady stick around.
The New England Patriots went on to win another Super Bowl, but would they be in better position today with Jimmy Garoppolo?
Related Story. Jimmy Garoppolo was Belichick’s QB of the future. light
Cam Newton is trying, but its obvious he is not the long-term answer at quarterback with what the Patriots like to do on offense.
And Jarrett Stidham?
Well, he has had an opportunity to steal the starting job and has done nothing to do so. That does leave “the guy” who was gloomed to take over the helm. In San Francisco, Jimmy Garoppolo has gained experience as a starting quarterback who has his team to a Super Bowl. But, the failure of not playing well in that Super Bowl as well as an unlucky history of injury has enabled Jimmy G from being a fixture in the 49ers future.
Is it just bad luck or is it fate in work here?
If the 49ers do indeed move on from Garoppolo and he’s out there and available, Bill Belichick will be licking his chops. Not only did he praise Jimmy G during his time in New England, he continues to do so.
"“It just looks like about what I thought it would look like,” Belichick said when asked about Garoppolo’s development with the Niners, via SI.com. “He’s a quality player. The 49ers gave him a high contract that reflected their confidence in him going forward to lead their team. Won the NFC Championship last year behind him. I think that all speaks for itself.”"
Next. Trading Bill Belichick the definition of irony. dark
What is also speaking there is Bill Belichick wishing he had an opportunity to keep Jimmy Garoppolo. If he is free following the 2020 NFL season, both sides will look to attach on to something familiar and build on it.
As for the New England Patriots side of it, they need to have confidence Jimmy G will be durable, which is something he has yet to prove in the NFL.