Remember when Jimmy Garoppolo was the quarterback for the Raiders? It actually happened. He was there, and things didn’t go too well—perhaps “winning only three games,” “getting benched,” or “testing positive for a banned substance and facing a multi-game suspension” might ring a bell.
Now, our favorite six-game QB, Jimmy G, is the backup for the Rams in Los Angeles. He’s back in the news, discussing how much happier he feels compared to his previous teams. It’s likely he’s talking about the Raiders, though it’s possible he could be referring to the Patriots or 49ers in his recent interview with The Athletic. It’s worth noting that Jimmy G’s newfound joy and relief from “the spotlight of the starter” probably don’t have anything to do with the one team where he was the undisputed starter. Here are some of his quotes:
“This place allows you to be yourself, which is different from other places I’ve been. There’s a positive urgency here. Everyone wants to win and perform well, and they push you in a positive way. Everything is going well. Even the meetings are enjoyable.”
It’s interesting how players on their third or fourth team often find organizations that “win the right way.” The San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots certainly know how to win, but I guess Jimmy G has his own perspective.
To be fair, he did have to work under Josh McDaniels, so he might not be wrong about the Raiders’ approach. They were indeed struggling under McDaniels, which could explain why Jimmy G is finally experiencing positive vibes in his career.
Then again, maybe I’m being too critical. He’s only worked with McDaniels, Kyle Shanahan, and Bill Belichick—coaches who aren’t known for their warm and fuzzy personalities. Perhaps he deserves a break, which, coincidentally, is what being Matt Stafford’s backup in LA provides.
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