Josh McDaniels could end up being the key voice in an unexpected Patriots reunion, and the name that keeps making sense is Jimmy Garoppolo.
With training camp underway for most teams, the market for the remaining free agents is starting to move. New England still has areas it could address, especially along the pass rush, but there doesn’t seem to be any urgency to force a signing right away. The same goes for the backup quarterback spot, where the Patriots currently seem comfortable with Tommy DeVito and rookie Behren Morton.
That comfort, though, has started to look a little shakier since the two resumed practicing again this past week. The way that room is performing now could push the Patriots toward a familiar solution, one with McDaniels at the center of it.
The idea in New England is to build a young quarterback group that can develop behind Drake Maye and be molded into what the Patriots want long term. DeVito and Morton fit that plan on paper.
The issue is what happens if Maye gets hurt in a game. Right now, the Patriots don’t appear to have much reason to feel great about either backup stepping in.
That’s where Garoppolo enters the picture.
He already has the New England connection, having been drafted by the Patriots in the second round back in 2014. He also followed McDaniels to the Raiders in 2023, which only adds to the sense that the Patriots would be a natural fit if they decide to look for a veteran.
Garoppolo has also made his own decision clear this offseason: he will not retire. After quietly weighing his NFL future, he’s now a name several teams could call on for experienced depth.
The Patriots stand out as one of the likeliest landing spots, even according to Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report. For Mike Vrabel and company, the appeal is obvious. A veteran with real starting experience would bring a different level of stability to the room, and Garoppolo has plenty to offer Maye and the backups both on the field and in the meeting room.
His résumé still carries weight. He spent years as a starter for the 49ers and even led them to a Super Bowl. Before that, he spent the first four seasons of his career learning behind Tom Brady as New England’s No. 2, which gives him a perspective the Patriots could use.
With McDaniels running the offense, bringing Garoppolo back would fit cleanly. It would also give the Patriots a much better feeling if Maye has to miss time, and that alone could be enough to make a veteran signing a priority sooner rather than later.
After how things ended in Las Vegas, it’s fair to think Garoppolo is no longer in line to be a starter. If he wants to keep playing for a contender, even in a backup role, there may not be a better option than returning to the place where it all started.
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