Veteran Jimmy Garoppolo is going to be among the biggest prizes during the 2023 NFL free agency cycle. He has a history of leading winning teams, has performed well recently and boasts built-in relationships with several quarterback-needy teams.
A number of squads will look at Garoppolo as a stopgap option rather than spending a huge bounty to acquire someone like Aaron Rodgers in a blockbuster trade. The same thing can be said for teams who are not sold on the 2023 NFL Draft quarterback class.
With all of that as a backdrop, let’s check out five ideal Jimmy Garoppolo destinations during NFL free agency this spring.
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Tennessee Titans
Tennessee will soon have to make a decision on Ryan Tannehill heading into NFL free agency. The struggling veteran is set to count a whopping $36.6 million against the cap in 2023. If the Titans designate him a post-June 1 cut, they’ll save $27 million. Given that new general manager Ran Carthon has already been in cost-cutting mode, it’s just a matter of time before this happens.
Garoppolo has a built-in relationship with Carthon dating back to their days together with the San Francisco 49ers. In fact, Carthon was San Francisco’s director of player personnel when the team traded for him midway through the 2017 season. In reality, he was a major player in said decision.
Fast forward more than a decade, and Garoppolo makes perfect sense for the Titans. He could be a bridge quarterback with youngster Malik Willis proving he’s nowhere near ready to be a QB1 right now. Add in Derrick Henry in the backfield, and Tennessee would have the balance on offense that Garoppolo needs.
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New Orleans Saints
Jameis Winston will soon join what promises to be a long unemployment line at quarterback heading into NFL free agency. Andy Dalton is not the answer in New Orleans. Taysom Hill isn’t, either.
After missing out on the playoffs for a second consecutive season, general manager Mickey Loomis must find an upgrade at quarterback. New Orleans also isn’t in a position to add one of the top signal callers in the 2023 NFL Draft. At least short term, Garoppolo has proven that he can hold down the fort.
- Jimmy Garoppolo stats (2022): 67% completion, 2,437 yards, 18 total TD, 4 INT, 103.0 QB rating
Last season saw Saints quarterbacks compile just 24 touchdown passes compared to 14 interceptions. Garoppolo would be an immediate upgrade. It also doesn’t hurt that New Orleans has capable skill-position talent in running back Alvin Kamara and wide receiver Chris Olave to help Jimmy GQ succeed in the Bayou.
Related: Jimmy Garoppolo and the top NFL QBs of 2023
Washington Commanders
Commanders head coach Ron Rivera has indicated multiple times that the team doesn’t want to exhaust a ton of capital on a quarterback after the failed Carson Wentz experiment. It’s in this that Washington is seemingly willing to head into the 2023 season with an inexperienced Sam Howell as QB1.
We’re just not seeing it after the Commanders hired Eric Bieniemy to run the ship on offense. He has worked wonders with other signal callers in the past, including both Alex Smith and Patrick Mahomes. With Jimmy Garoppolo slated to hit free agency and not costing a single draft pick, he seems to make a ton of sense for Washington.
- Jimmy Garoppolo career record as a starter: 40-17
- Washington Commanders record since 2019: 25-40-1
Rivera is squarely on the hot seat heading into the 2023 season. Washington’s franchise is up for sale. Any new owner would want to bring in a hand-picked option at head coach. In short, Rivera can’t afford to head into the 2023 campaign with Howell as QB1 in Maryland.
Related: Landing spots for the top quarterbacks in NFL free agency
New York Jets
The Jets have been linked to both Aaron Rodgers and Derek Carr thus far this offseason. Heck, recent reports have general manager Joe Douglas and Co. interested in a Geno Smith reunion. All of this comes after a disastrous sophomore season from former No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson.
What we do know is that New York is intent on finding an upgrade over Wilson at quarterback. Whether that means doling out multiple first-round picks in a trade for Rodgers or hoping that Carr can succeed in a cold-weather environment after so many years of failures remains to be seen.
But in reality, Jimmy Garoppolo seems to be the best option for New York. Even if it means doling out $30 million annually on a short-term deal, he could be that stopgap option to lead this team to the playoffs.
The presence of a solid offensive line as well as young skill-position players Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson would make for a seamless transition in Jersey. Garoppolo could step right in and provide stability at the quarterback position. It’s something the Jets have not had since the days of Mark Sanchez. Let that sink in for a bit.
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New England Patriots
A Garoppolo reunion with Bill Belichick and the Patriots is something that actually makes a ton of sense. Young quarterback Mac Jones has fallen out of favor in New England. There’s now an open question whether he’s a long-term solution following a drama-filled and inconsistent sophomore campaign.
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We know full well that Belichick did not want to trade Garoppolo to San Francisco back in 2017. He’s the second-oldest head coach in the NFL and has no intention of going into a complete rebuild. In turn, the Pats can add a veteran in Garoppolo who has familiarity in new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien’s system. This almost makes too much sense for both sides.