Former Patriots QB Joins Iconic Group With Conference Championship Appearance
It’s rarely a bad thing when a quarterback frequents a leaderboard alongside Tom Brady, Joe Montana and Patrick Mahomes.
Jimmy Garoppolo will do just that when the Los Angeles Rams face the Seattle Seahawks in the AFC Championship Game. The former New England Patriots quarterback will make his seventh trip to a conference title game on an active roster, tying Mahomes for the third-most in NFL history behind Brady (14) and Montana (eight).
One of those names is not like the other. Garoppolo spent three of those games watching Brady from New England’s bench from 2014 to 2016.
However, the former second-round pick played a more active role with the San Francisco 49ers. He started an NFC Championship Game victory in the 2019 postseason and a loss to the Rams in the 2021 playoffs.
Garoppolo has spent the last three seasons backing up Matthew Stafford, Drake Maye’s primary competition for this year’s MVP award. He didn’t attempt a pass all season, instead watching Stafford amass 4,706 passing yards and 46 touchdowns for the NFL’s top-ranked offense.
Barring a late appearance in a blowout win, something must go wrong for Garoppolo to see the field this Sunday. He wouldn’t be the only ex-Patriots quarterback pressed into action, as Jarrett Stidham will start the AFC Championship Game against New England with Bo Nix sidelined.
The NFC Championship Game starts Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET after the Patriots play the Denver Broncos at 3 p.m.