When Josh McDaniels got the head coaching job with the Denver Broncos, he immediately acquired several players with ties to the New England Patriots.
It’s been around for over a decade, but not much has changed.
Jimmy Garoppolo, a former Patriots backup when McDaniels was offensive coordinator in New England, is coming to the Las Vegas Raiders to reunite with McDaniels. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Dianna Russini. The deal is said to be three years and $67.5 million, including $34 million guaranteed.
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Given former Bill Belichick assistants’ infatuation with ex-Patriots players, that shouldn’t be a huge surprise.
Garoppolo has been with the San Francisco 49ers since 2017, when the Patriots traded him there. He helped the 49ers reach a Super Bowl, but injuries and average play forced San Francisco to look elsewhere at quarterback. Although Garoppolo took back the starting job when Lance was injured last season, they traded up to draft Dre Lance. Then Garoppolo was injured and Brock Purdy took over as the starter.
A rift between the 49ers and Garoppolo has been in the works for a while, even though Garoppolo was delayed a year recovering from shoulder surgery last season and the 49ers were unable to find a trade partner.
Garoppolo finally hit free agency, and it didn’t take long for McDaniels to hook up with the former Patriot.
The Raiders moved on from Derek Carr after last season, but it’s hard to say Garoppolo is an upgrade. But he knows “The Patriot Way,” which McDaniels and other former New England assistants greatly respect. At least Garoppolo knows McDaniels’ offense.
The Raiders begin a new chapter with Garoppolo, who will turn 32 during the season. They’ll find out if the familiarity between McDaniels and Garoppolo leads to some success.
