The 2021 NFL offseason isn’t even technically underway, but it’s been busy for a number of teams. And one analyst sees it getting busier. NBC Sports’ Chris Simms see a path for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to return to the New England Patriots. He even called the path “obvious.”
Granted, the path does involve a lot of moving parts for several teams throughout the league. However, this particular path sounds somewhat plausible, especially given the fact that there are some top-tier quarterbacks in the 2021 NFL Draft.
“…What I’m thinking’s gonna happen, that the Jets are looking at Zach Wilson and (New York offensive coordinator) Mike LaFleur’s going, ‘Wait, my brother, Matt LaFleur, is in Green Bay and he’s got Aaron Rodgers and wait, the guy that might be here at No. 2 — and I expect to be at No. 2 — he plays just like Aaron Rodgers. Oh yeah, I’m going to run the same offense my brother runs up in Green Bay,’” Simms said Monday on NBC Sports.
“So I would think that that would leave Sam Darnold on the table. In my heart of hearts or anything, I could see that happening. Now Darnold — just like we saw with the Lions-Rams inside deal, coaches and people that move from one place to the other — that that conversation happens and he goes there (San Francisco). Now, New England and the 49ers also have history together. (Kyle) Shanahan and (Bill) Belichick, we know there’s a respect thing there. It’s been widely documented. So I think when you connect the dots right there — it’s almost like too obvious not to think it’s going to happen, honestly.”
This may sound like a bit of a far-fetched theory. However we have seen crazy things happen before, particularly when prospects and the draft are part of deals. As the Patriots look for their next quarterback, it would be difficult to rule any scenario out.
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