This is the online version of our daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Subscribe to get irreverent and incisive sports stories, delivered to your mailbox every morning. Here’s Robert Zeglinski.
I know we’re all on pins and needles with Aaron Rodgers and … whatever’s happening there, but let’s not lose sight of one of the most significant early moves in free agency.
No, I’m not talking about Javon Hargrave to the San Francisco 49ers. (Though, wow, what an add to that monstrous defense!)
I’m referring to Jimmy Garoppolo signing a three-year, $72.5 million contract ($34 million guaranteed!) with the Las Vegas Raiders. For one, it’s the end of an artistic 404-day era of Garoppolo illustrations. For the other, my friends, that is the only kind of deal you sign when you’re expected to light. it. up.
And please, make no mistake: Garoppolo is about to kill it with his old New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
So chin up, Davante Adams! Positive thoughts only, sir!
I know Garoppolo isn’t the sexiest add for an NFL offense in 2023. And I know he won’t move the needle as much as someone like Rodgers or Patrick Mahomes. Let’s be honest: if the 49ers actually found the 31-year-old veteran worth keeping, he’d probably still be wearing their iconic maroon and gold uniform.
But, at the risk of playing into (harmful) cliches: Garoppolo is an accomplished player who just knows what it takes to win. He showed as much as the Bay Area. And we can’t forget that.
Garoppolo won’t give you the raw, gaudy numbers, but he doesn’t have to!
The Raiders and McDaniels don’t need a superstar quarterback. What Las Vegas needs is someone who can play point guard for Davante Adams, Darren Waller, Hunter Renfrow, Josh Jacobs, and now Jakobi Meyers. There’s a lot of talent on the Silver and Black’s offense.
Theoretically, it also has a great offensive mind in McDaniels leading it. We all know familiarity and continuity is king in pro football. I wrote as much about a McDaniels-Garoppolo reunion before free agency started:
“For McDaniels, as he tries to prove he’s not a fraud: his former pet project would be perfect to at least get the ball into Adams and Renfrow’s hands.”
Would it be better if Garoppolo had as much ability as some of the very best QBs in the league? Of course. I’m not denying that! But I’m tired of holding everyone to this impossibly high standard of play under center. Sometimes a guy who can just get the ball to his playmakers is completely fine.
News flash: These players win ball games, too. And lots of them.
So as we let people like Rodgers consume the early parts of free agency, don’t let this Raiders’ addition of Garoppolo get lost in the shuffle. Something tells me we’ll be glowing about him and Las Vegas much more come September.
Quick Hits: WBC sportsmanship … Best Picture contenders … and more.
- Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki hit a batter with a 101 mph pitch and was so classy about it.
- We’re already looking ahead to next year’s Best Picture nominees. (Hint: Keep an eye on Leonardo DiCaprio’s latest.)
- The NFL’s onside kick could be no more. Why? The Eagles want an AWESOME alternative choice.