Jimmy Garoppolo had his time to shine the first two weeks of the season as Tom Brady’s replacement for the New England Patriots. But with Brady back, Garoppolo is once again the chiseled backup.
A shoulder injury prevented Garoppolo from starting all four games of Brady’s suspension, but his stats in those two starts, 42-of-60 for 496 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions, aren't too shabby, regardless of how small the sample size may be.
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“We had a good thing going there for a while … The first two games went really well, we were rolling,” Garoppolo said, via ESPN.com. “But I always tell myself ‘everything happens for a reason.’ There was a reason that happened, and hopefully good things will come from it.”
Garoppolo’s future in New England is unclear. Brady, despite being 39 years old, looks great after a 400-yard day against the Browns in Week 5, and rookie Jacoby Brissett impressed with a win over the Texans in Week 3.
Maybe the Patriots hold onto the FCS product from Eastern Illinois when his rookie deal runs out and place the future in his right arm, or Garoppolo will be next in a long line of Brady backups to land a starting gig elsewhere. Regardless, he’ll be ready.
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"It's different, but it is what it is,” he said of going back to second string. “When the opportunity comes up, you're going to get an opportunity at some point, you have to take advantage of it. That's what I tried to do.
“Whatever happens from here, we'll see. We have a long way to go with the rest of the season and everything, so you have to be ready, bottom line."