The New England Patriots are reportedly trying to bring a familiar face back to the franchise after their sad first season without quarterback Tom Brady.
During an episode of his podcast last week, Greg Bedard of the Boston Sports Journal reported that Jimmy Garoppolo – whom the Patriots traded with the San Francisco 49ers in 2017 – is “by far” the Patriots’ “Plan A” as a defender.
“If they had to draw, exactly the ideal situation for the Patriots next season, it would be Jimmy G coming back here,” said Bedard. “And, of course, it all depends on the 49ers doing something.”
The Patriots hired Cam Newton to start before the 2020 NFL season. New England ended the year with a 7-9 record and lost the playoffs.
Newton, who spent nine seasons with the Carolina Panthers, had 2,657 yards, eight passing touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 15 games. He also had 12 running touchdowns.
A second season of the Patriots for Newton seems unlikely, and New England also does not appear to be sold by Jarrett Stidham as its future holder.
Last month, The Athletic reported that the Patriots were summoning all teams with a potential target for a defender change, although these activities never gained strength. The Patriots are also “heavily patrolling” the best quarterbacks in the NFL’s 2021 Draft class, according to the publication.
But it seems that these are alternative options, as the Patriots are looking for a reunion with Garoppolo, whom they selected in the second round of the 2014 draft. Just over three months after the Halloween negotiation of 2017, Garoppolo signed a five-year contract worth $ 137.5 million with 49ers. He has two years left in that business.
His first full season as a Niners starter in 2018 ended abruptly in week 3, when he suffered a break in ACL. Garoppolo returned in 2019 to help bring San Francisco 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 matches in 2020. There were rumors during the season that the Niners were ready to leave Garoppolo, and the conversation about the divorce continues despite the organization’s public support.
“Do I believe the 49ers general manager, John Lynch, when he says that Garoppolo will be the starter in 2021? Of course not, ”NFL insider Michael Lombardi wrote at The Athletic recently. “They are very active, very aggressive to go back another year with someone they don’t fully trust.”
The 49ers called the Panthers about Teddy Bridgewater, according to The Athletic, another sign that they are looking for a new defender.
If the 49ers are really ready to leave Garoppolo, it looks like Bill Belichick will be waiting with open arms to welcome him back to Foxborough.