Jimmy Garoppolo was expecting to be the starting quarterback of the Las Vegas Raiders throughout this season, but that’s not exactly how it played out for him as he was ultimately benched in favor of rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell midway through the season. But despite his benching, he kept a positive attitude and served as a veteran mentor for O’Connell. And it sounds like there is someone to thank for that: Tom Brady.
During a press conference this week, Jimmy Garoppolo spoke about how much he enjoyed this season despite getting benched. And part of what he enjoyed so much was the chance to mentor a young quarterback – just like Tom Brady did for him during his rookie season with the New England Patriots back in 2014.
“I was a rookie once and Tom [Brady] helped me out,” Garoppolo said according to Vic Tafur of The Athletic.
Garoppolo enjoyed helping out Aidan O'Connell. "I was a rookie quarterback once and Tom (Brady) helped me out."
Garoppolo is fully healthy and confident he can be a starter again in the NFL.— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) January 8, 2024
It’s a pretty clear message to Brady about just how much he appreciated the future Hall of Famer mentoring him when he was just trying to get his bearings in the NFL.
Coincidentally enough, Brady still had the opportunity to be around Garoppolo a little bit this season after he agreed to become a minority ower of the Las Vegas Raiders, though that deal has not yet been approved by the NFL owners.
