Jimmy Garoppolo says he expected to be a Patriot his entire career
Jimmy Garoppolo on a possible return to the Pats I @DAonCBS pic.twitter.com/L4JRqYqqfV
— Infinity Sports Network (@InfSportsNet) May 4, 2021
Jimmy Garoppolo arrived to the Patriots with certain expectations. A few years later, he realized that he shouldn’t expect anything.
Our old friend Damon Amendolara spoke to Garoppolo for his show on CBS Sports Radio Tuesday. He asked Garoppolo if he’d welcome a return to New England at some point. The San Francisco 49ers quarterback acknowledged that he wasn’t expecting to be traded in the first place back in 2017 – and that an opportunity to return never materialized.
“I don’t know, we never really got to cross that bridge,” Garoppolo said. “You never know where your path is going to take you in the NFL. I thought I was going to be in New England for my entire career (laughs). That didn’t go as planned.
“It’s kind of one of those businesses – you’ve just got to be ready for anything, got to be on your toes. You’ve got to be able to react. However the story plays out, you’ve just got to be able to run with it.”
The Niners selected North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance with the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft on Thursday, which all but assured that Garoppolo’s long-term NFL future is not in San Fran. But the team has indicated that it prefers Garoppolo to continue starting in 2021 to let Lance develop. At $50.25 million in cash over the next two seasons, Garoppolo would make for an expensive placeholder.
We’ll see if the drawbridge lowers back down for Garoppolo’s potential return to New England. But after balking at bringing Garoppolo in on his current contract, the Patriots may have to wait for him to become a free agent, which at the earliest would happen during the 2021 preseason or final roster cut-downs.
After Tom Brady played at a Super Bowl level into his 40s and unexpectedly outlasted him in New England, Garoppolo is expecting anything.
MORE: Patriots Not Trading For Jimmy Garoppolo Due To Contract Issues
Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @mattydsays. You can also email him at [email protected].
