San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo scored a huge new contract on Thursday. The 26-year-old Eastern Illinois alumni reached a deal worth $137 million over the next 5 years. This huge contract will make Garoppolo the highest paid player next season topping Detroit Lions Quarterback, Matt Stafford who will earn $27 million per season whereas Garoppolo will make $27.5 million each season. This new contract also makes Garoppolo the highest paid player in NFL history.
This new contract shows how much faith the 49ers are putting in their new Quarterback to take the franchise to the next level. Blaine Gabbert and C.J. Beathard were the two Quarterbacks for the ‘9ers following Super Bowl Quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s departure from the team.
Neither Gabbert nor Beathard showed any promise, and with a team that lacks any superstar talent on offense with the exception of maybe Running Back Carlos Hyde, the team needed a potentially elite talent to bring some life into this young team, and who better than multi-year backup of the best Quarterback of all time.
Garoppolo was drafted as a backup for New England Patriots QB Tom Brady. For years, Garoppolo sat behind the G.O.A.T. learning from him and waiting for his opportunity to take over the franchise as the now 40-year-old Brady got closer to retirement. With no immediate desire to end his Hall of Fame worthy career, The Patriots sent their young backup to the 49ers this past season.
In his six games played, Garoppolo completed 120 passes for 7 touchdowns for 1,560 yards. His best game came against the lockdown defense of the Jacksonville Jaguars on Christmas Eve. In a game the Jaguars wanted to win to claim home field advantage throughout the playoffs, Jimmy G played a solid game with a less than superstar team throwing for 240 yards and two touchdowns on 21 completions.
The 49ers won the game 33-44.
