The New England Patriots are continuing their search for a QB1 after their one-year partnership with Cam Newton came to an end. Though they can definitely opt to bring him back, nothing is certain for both sides as of the moment.
Amid a rocky situation, the Patriots are prioritizing a reunion with their former backup gunslinger in Jimmy Garoppolo who is currently serving as the starting quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers.
Via Tyler Conway of Bleacher Report:
“From what I gather from talking to people this week, over the past week, Jimmy Garoppolo still is far and away their Plan A,” Greg Bedard of the Boston Sports Journal said on his podcast this week. “That, if they had to draw it up, exactly the optimal situation for the Patriots for this coming season, it's Jimmy G coming back here. And of course, that's all dependent on the 49ers doing something.”
After a stellar campaign in 2019 highlighted by a Super Bowl LIV appearance, Garoppolo and the entire 49ers quickly dipped in the following season. The Eastern Illinois product played through an injury-riddled campaign where he was limited to only 1,096 passing yards on 94 completions and seven touchdowns through six games played.
His extended absence forced the 49ers to lean on the dismal production of their backups in Nick Mullens and C.J. Beathard for the most part of the season. Having a short-handed lineup didn't bode well for the San Francisco-based squad as they concluded the 2020 season with a 6-10 record.
Seeing themselves in a similar boat is the new-look Patriots squad led by Bill Belichick. With Cam Newton at the helm, they finished their campaign with a 7-9 record for the third spot in the AFC East. Despite their subpar showing, the 2015 NFL MVP can't be entirely to blame as he also had to deal with a lack of weapons on the field and the absence of their tenured veterans who opted out of playing.
However, Belichick and the Patriots can definitely search the market for a new quarterback if they want to give themselves a better chance next season. At the same time, Jimmy Garoppolo is also looking to make a comeback bid and a change in scenery could potentially help him attain greater success in 2021.
With how things are turning out, it won't be a surprise if Jimmy G finds himself suiting up for the Patriots and playing in his old stomping grounds next season.
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