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Could this former Patriots’ quarterback return to the AFC soon?

By Lou Scataglia

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to throw a first half pass against the Indianapolis Colts at Levi's Stadium on October 24, 2021 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to throw a first half pass against the Indianapolis Colts at Levi's Stadium on October 24, 2021 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo could be on the move soon. Could he return to the AFC where he began his career with the Patriots?

There was a new report this morning stating that the Cleveland Browns could trade for San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo if Deshaun Watson’s six game suspension was increased.

This would mean that Jimmy G would return to the AFC, a conference he hasn’t played in since 2016, when he was with the Patriots.

Garoppolo was a second round pick of the 2014 NFL Draft where he spent three years in New England, completing 63 of 94 attempted passes for five touchdowns and zero interceptions.

Garoppolo was then traded to San Francisco where he signed a massive contract extension at the time.

Now entering his sixth season with the team, Garoppolo was essentially replaced when the team drafted Trey Lance third overall in last year’s draft.

He started 45 games in San Francisco, going 31-14, appearing in two NFC Championship games and one Super Bowl.

Depending on who you ask, Garoppolo is indeed a franchise quarterback, and as it relates to the Browns, he’d easily be the best quarterback on the roster.

The current backup is Jacoby Brissett, who is a fine backup, but he clearly is a tier or two below Garoppolo.

This would then make for an interesting reunion when the Patriots challenge the Browns early in the 2022 season.

The Browns and Patriots square off on October 16th in Cleveland.

Obviously, this would then create an even bigger incentive for the Patriots to win.  As we know, the original planned seemed to be Garoppolo eventually taking over for Tom Brady for the Patriots, but Brady kept going, forcing the Patriots to trade Jimmy G away.

There aren’t many options left if Jimmy Garoppolo wants to be a starter for 2022.

I think there are still a few teams who could make a trade.  I don’t envision the Seahawks making a deal, but I could see a team like the New York Giants making a trade for Garoppolo.

If Deshaun Watson is suspended for a longer period of time, perhaps one season, I do think we would see the Browns heavily jump on that opportunity.  The Browns’ roster is one of the best in the league, and not having a serviceable quarterback under center, at least, would effectively be a giant waste of a year.

That might be a perfect scenario for Jimmy G too.  He is an unrestricted free agent after this season, so, if by chance he ends up on the Browns, he’d have a similar situation to play in as he had with the 49ers.

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