The New England Patriots are reportedly trying to regain the franchise’s face after their bleak 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 switched to the San Francisco 49ers in 2017, is “a long way” from the Patriots’ “Plan A” as a quarterback.
“If they had to write it, exactly the optimal situation for the Patriots for next season, Jimmy G will be back here,” Bedard said. “And of course, that depends on the 49ers doing something.”
The Patriots signed Cam Newton to be their starter before the 2020 NFL season. New England finished 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 quick touchdowns.
It looks unlikely a second Patriots season for Newton, nor does it look like New England will be sold to Jarrett Stidham as its future starter.
Last month, The Athletic reported that the Patriots had called on all teams with a possible commercial quarterback goal, though those missions never gained strength. According to the publication, the Patriots are also “heavily exploring” the top quarterbacks of the 2021 NFL Draft class.
But it looks like these are alternative options, as the Patriots are looking for a meeting with Garoppolo, whom they selected in the second round of the 2014 draft. Just over three months after the 2017 Halloween trade, Garoppolo signed a five-year contract and $ 137.5 million with the 49ers. He has two years left on this deal.
His first full season as a starter for the Niners in 2018 ended abruptly in Week 3, when he suffered a torn ACL. Garoppolo returned in 2019 to help lead San Francisco with a 13-3 record and a Super Bowl appearance, which the 49ers lost to the Chiefs.
Injuries limited 29-year-old Garoppolo to six starts in 2020. During the season there were rumors that the Niners were willing to move on from Garoppolo and there is continued talk of a divorce despite public support from the organization.
“I think the 49ers general manager, John Lynch, is claiming that Garoppolo will be their starter in 2021? Of course not, ”Michael Lombardi, an NFL member, recently wrote to the international. “They’re too active, too aggressive to run it one more year with someone they don’t completely trust.”
The 49ers have called the Panthers over Teddy Bridgewater, according to The Athletic, another sign they are looking for a new quarterback.
If the 49ers are really ready to leave Garoppolo, it looks like Bill Belichick is waiting for him with open arms to welcome Foxborough.