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If you don’t know the story, it goes a little like this. When Tom Brady was 37 years old back in 2014, the Patriots drafted Jimmy Garoppolo in the second round, with head coach Bill Belichick openly citing Brady’s age. Since that point, Brady has been to five Super Bowls and won four.
When Garoppolo was traded to the 49ers, it wasn’t a typical open market affair. Belichick called the 49ers first with a take-it-or-leave-it deal of Garoppolo for a second-round pick. And that brings us to now, when Garoppolo has won at a prolific rate when he’s been on the field, but also disappointed in a number of ways, most notably his inability to stay healthy and his collapse in the Super Bowl.
Tim Kawakami of The Athletic joined the “Tolbert, Krueger and Brooks Show” on Monday to discuss the 49ers’ quarterback situation which he said is likely to remain Garoppolo’s job heading into the season.
He said that the Garoppolo is likely alright with all the constant speculation about his job as a product of a few things. First, Garoppolo is a low-maintenance guy. Second, the 49ers kept Garoppolo posted on their look at Tom Brady last summer, and chose Garoppolo, which was a clear vote of confidence. And third, Brady went through this with Garoppolo, so Kawakami sees it from Garoppolo’s perspective, as:
“Tom frickin Brady went through this. ‘I can go through it, having won, at this point, seven fewer Super Bowls than Tom Brady, I’m gonna prove it.’ If I’m Jimmy Garoppolo, I’m going to go out there—whatever you think I’m worth—and I’m gonna win games. And you know what? ‘You’re gonna have to give me a new deal after this. Not readjust my deal. You’re gonna have to give me a new deal.’”
What happens if Garoppolo can’t make a compelling case next year? Back to New England.
“If it doesn’t work out, Bill Belichick is waiting for him at the end of the road at some point,” Kawakami said. “I’ve had many people tell me, like no matter what happens, at some point, Jimmy Garoppolo is gonna end up with the New England Patriots. This is going to happen.”