The Indianapolis Colts are expected to add competition for quarterback Anthony Richardson this offseason. Will Jimmy Garoppolo be the guy?
Mike Chappell of FOX 59 listed Garoppolo as a realistic option for the Colts:
“This would probably be a low-risk, high-reward signing,” Chappell wrote. “It shouldn’t take much to sign Garoppolo and he has experience at both starting and sitting behind someone.”
Perhaps signing Justin Fields makes the most sense for the Colts. The free-agent quarterback could help push Richardson to be a better player. However, Fields will likely sign with a team that he won’t have to compete much for a starting job. Jimmy Garoppolo, who the Colts can get on a cheap contract, is certainly more realistic.
Two-time Super Bowl Champ Jimmy Garoppolo Listed as a Realistic Quarterback Option for the Indianapolis Colts
Looking Back At His Career
The New England Patriots drafted Jimmy Garoppolo in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He would spend four seasons with the Patriots, serving as Tom Brady’s backup and winning two Super Bowl rings.
Jimmy Garoppolo was traded to the San Francisco 49ers in 2017. He suffered a season-ending knee injury during Week 3 of the 2018 campaign. But he returned the following year and led the 49ers to a 13-3 record and a trip to Super Bowl LIV. San Francisco lost that game, though, 31-20 to Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. Garoppolo threw for 219 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions in the losing effort. He finished as the runner-up for the Comeback Player of the Year Award, losing to Ryan Tannehill. Two years later, Garoppolo took the 49ers back to the NFC Championship Game, where they lost to the eventual champion Los Angeles Rams.
With Brock Purdy emerging as the 49ers’ franchise quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo signed a three-year, $72 million contract with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023. He was eventually benched in favor of rookie Aidan O’Connell. The Raiders released him on March 13, 2024.
Garoppolo signed with the Rams six days later. He was suspended for the first two games of the 2024 campaign for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy. Serving as Matthew Stafford’s backup, he played only one game this past season, which was the season-finale against the Seattle Seahawks. In that game, he threw for 334 yards and two touchdowns as Stafford rested for the playoffs.
Should the Colts Sign Him?
When healthy, Jimmy Garoppolo has been a very effective quarterback throughout his career. He has completed 67.4 percent of his passes for 15,828 yards and 96 touchdowns in his 11 NFL seasons. He has taken a team to the NFC Championship Game a couple of times and a Super Bowl appearance. And surely, he learned a lot, playing behind Brady early on in his career.
However, he has been plagued by injuries. The Colts already have a quarterback in Richardson who’s been bitten hard by the injury bug. Needless to say, it’s risky to bring in another signal-caller who has trouble staying healthy.
The Colts undoubtedly need someone who can push Richardson in training camp. But Jimmy Garoppolo just isn’t the answer.
Main Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea – Imagn Images
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