Former Super Bowl quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who led the 49ers to the championship game in the 2019 season, is contemplating a return to the NFL. Reports indicate that he considered retirement this spring but remains open to playing this season if the right situation presents itself.
Mike Garafolo from NFL Network revealed that while nothing is imminent, Garoppolo is an experienced veteran quarterback available for teams in need. The demand for quarterbacks in playoff contention is rising, and Garoppolo may still have something left in the tank.
Garoppolo's recent history shows limited action; he appeared in only three games in 2025 as a backup for the Los Angeles Rams. His last significant performance came in 2024 when he started one game, completing 27 of 41 passes for 334 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. This level of performance could attract teams looking for a reliable backup.
At 34 years old, Garoppolo is not past his prime by NFL standards. Quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers and Joe Flacco are still active in their 40s, and his former teammate Tom Brady played until he was 45. Garoppolo backed up Brady with the New England Patriots from 2014 to 2016.
His career has faced challenges; after being replaced by former No. 3 pick Trey Lance in San Francisco in 2021, he was relegated to backup status in 2022. His stint with the Las Vegas Raiders also ended poorly, as he was benched for Aiden O'Connell and faced suspension due to violations of NFL PED policies.
For the past two seasons, Garoppolo has been quietly backing up Matthew Stafford in Los Angeles. Working under head coach Sean McVay could provide him with the opportunity to revitalize his career.
Whether a quarterback-needy team will take a chance on Garoppolo remains to be seen.
