James Garoppolo, popularly called “Jimmy G,” was born on November 2, 1991, and has established himself as a prominent American football quarterback.

Presently, he plays a vital role within the National Football League (NFL) as a critical member of the Las Vegas Raiders.

His journey to the NFL started during college, where he showcased his exceptional skills at Eastern Illinois University.

Jimmy Garoppolo not only set numerous school records for career passing yards and passing touchdowns but also earned the prestigious Walter Payton Award during his senior year.

In the 2014 NFL Draft, James Garoppolo was chosen in the second round by the New England Patriots. In his initial four seasons, he served as the backup quarterback to the legendary Tom Brady and contributed to the Patriots’ success, being part of two Super Bowl-winning teams.

Towards the end of the 2017 season, where his impact was instrumental in revitalizing a struggling team with a 1-10 record, Jimmy was traded to the San Francisco 49ers.

His impact was immediate, leading the team to victory in the remaining five games of that season. However, his most remarkable season came in 2019, when he guided the 49ers to secure the top seed in their conference and earn a coveted spot in Super Bowl LIV. 

Furthermore, he was indispensable in the team’s path to the NFC Championship Game in 2021.

Despite these achievements, Jimmy Garoppolo’s time in San Francisco was marked by injury setbacks, causing him to miss most of the 2018 and 2020 seasons.

Unfortunately, in 2022, he suffered yet another season-ending injury. As a result, in the subsequent year, James Garoppolo signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, embracing a new chapter in his football career.

Jimmy Garoppolo’s Early life and family

James Garoppolo hails from Arlington Heights, Illinois, where he spent his formative years. He is the third of four sons born to Denise (formerly Malec) and Tony Garoppolo Sr., who retired as an electrician.

His older siblings include Tony Garoppolo Jr., an architect, and Mike Garoppolo, who pursued a career in teaching. He also has a younger brother named Billy Garoppolo. James grew up in a close-knit, large Italian family.

His paternal grandparents, Anthony and Rose Garoppolo, immigrated from Italy, while his maternal grandparents, Theodore J. Malec, and Harriet D. Seidel, had Polish and German roots, respectively.

While at Rolling Meadows High School in Rolling Meadows, Garoppolo was actively involved in sports. He played the dual roles of quarterback and linebacker for the Mustangs football team, participating in 19 games as a quarterback during his junior and senior years.

Over this time, he accumulated impressive stats, passing for 3,136 yards and scoring 25 touchdowns. In addition to football, he also pursued his passion for baseball and served as a pitcher for the Rolling Meadows team, fondly recalling that “baseball was my first love when I was a little kid.”

Despite being a 2-star recruit, Garoppolo chose to commit to playing football at Eastern Illinois, opting for the Panthers over offers from other institutions like Illinois State and Montana State.

Jimmy Garoppolo’s College career

From 2010 to 2013, Jimmy Garoppolo made a significant impact on the Eastern Illinois Panthers football team. In his debut year, he began as the starting quarterback in eight games, impressively passing for 1,639 yards and 14 touchdowns.

His remarkable performance earned him recognition on the All-Ohio Valley Conference Newcomer Team while being under the guidance of head coach Bob Spoo. Subsequently, he maintained his position as the starting quarterback for the entirety of his tenure at Eastern Illinois.

In 2011, he continued to demonstrate his skills, passing for 2,644 yards and contributing 20 touchdowns. The following year, in 2012, his prowess on the field shone even brighter, as he passed for an impressive 3,823 yards and an impressive 31 touchdowns.

However, it was in 2013 that Garoppolo truly made his mark. That year, under the leadership of head coach Dino Babers and operating within an uptempo no-huddle offense, he secured the prestigious Walter Payton Award. 

This accolade recognizes the Division I Football Championship Subdivision’s standout offensive player, celebrating their exceptional talent and on-field excellence.

Furthermore, in recognition of his remarkable achievements in 2013, Garoppolo received several other accolades.

He was honored as the 2013–14 OVC Male Athlete of the Year, a testament to his all-around excellence in sports.

Additionally, he was named the 2013 College Football Performance FCS National Quarterback of the Year, further solidifying his status as a standout talent in college football. 

Significantly, his achievements during this time also involved surpassing the school record for career pass completions, formerly held by former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.

Jimmy Garoppolo’s Professional Career

Represented by the skilled agent Don Yee, Jimmy Garoppolo garnered recognition as one of the top quarterback prospects leading up to the NFL Draft 2014. 

The Patriots drafted him in the second round, selecting him as the 62nd overall pick in New England.

This was a notable milestone in his career, as he became the first player from the Football Championship Subdivision to be selected in the 2014 draft.

Additionally, he held the distinction of being the highest-drafted quarterback chosen by the Patriots since Drew Bledsoe, who was their first overall pick in 1993.

Garoppolo and the Patriots inked a four-year contract valued at $3,483,898, including a $853,744 signing bonus, with $1,103,744 guaranteed.

2014 Season

In the 2014 season, Jimmy Garoppolo made his regular-season debut during the Patriots’ Week 4 game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Garoppolo entered the game in the fourth quarter, promptly leading the Patriots on a scoring drive that culminated in his first career passing touchdown—a 13-yard connection with tight end Rob Gronkowski on his first drive. 

He completed six of seven passes for 70 yards and achieved an impressive passer rating of 147.9. Over his rookie season. Garoppolo played in six games, completing 19 of 27 passes for 182 yards, with a touchdown and a 101.2 passer rating. 

While he didn’t take any snaps in the Patriots’ Super Bowl XLIX victory, he contributed significantly by preparing the Patriots’ defense to face Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.

2015 Season

Garoppolo appeared in five games in a backup role, completing one of four passes for six yards during the season, resulting in a 39.6 passer rating in 2015.

2016 Season

With starting quarterback Tom Brady suspended for four games due to Deflategate, head coach Bill Belichick appointed Jimmy Garoppolo as the starter for the first game of the 2016 season. 

Garoppolo demonstrated his prowess by completing 24 of 33 passes for 264 yards and notching a crucial touchdown in a triumphant contest against the Arizona Cardinals.

However, in the subsequent face-off against the Miami Dolphins, he continued to impress by amassing 234 passing yards and delivering three impressive touchdowns.

Unfortunately, a shoulder injury compelled him to exit the game during the second quarter, curbing his strong performance.

Despite the setback, his early-season displays showcased his capabilities as a skilled quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers.

Jimmy Garoppolo’s ability to lead the offense was evident in these games, even though he faced adversity with the injury.

A sprained AC joint caused by a hit from Dolphins linebacker Kiko Alonso kept him out of action for the next two games, and rookie Jacoby Brissett took over as the starter.

He did not play in Super Bowl LI, despite being active for the Patriots’ 34–28 overtime victory against the Atlanta Falcons.

2017 Season

Throughout the offseason, Jimmy Garoppolo was the center of numerous trade speculations, with the Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns frequently mentioned as possible interested parties.

Despite the speculation, no trade ultimately came to fruition, and Garoppolo continued to be a part of the Patriots for the season.

2017 Season

On October 31, 2017, Jimmy Garoppolo’s path changed as the Patriots traded him to the San Francisco 49ers in return for the 49ers’ second-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

He debuted for the 49ers on November 26, 2017, during the 49ers’ Week 12 game against the Seattle Seahawks. He came into the game in the final minute after the starter, C. J. Beathard, sustained an injury. 

Garoppolo’s debut as a 49er featured his first play, where he rushed for six yards. In the game’s closing moments, he connected with Louis Murphy for a 10-yard touchdown pass.

This debut resulted in him completing his pass attempts for 18 yards and a touchdown. He was named the starter for the 49ers’ Week 13 game against the Chicago Bears, marking his first start for the team, culminating in a 15–14 victory.

Throughout the season, he delivered strong performances, including a 26–16 win over the Houston Texans, a 25–23 victory against the Tennessee Titans, and a 44–33 triumph over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

With a season-ending 7–0 record in his first seven starts (including two starts with the New England Patriots), Garoppolo became the first quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger in 2004 to achieve such a feat.

His impact was evident in the 49ers’ offensive efficiency, with a 62 percent scoring rate on their drives, surpassing the second-place New England Patriots by 11 percent.

To provide context, in 2017, NFL teams scored on only 35 percent of their drives, and the 49ers managed a 29 percent scoring rate without Garoppolo. 

By the conclusion of the 2017 season, Garoppolo’s statistics included 1,560 passing yards, seven passing touchdowns, and five interceptions. Additionally, he contributed 11 rushing yards and scored one rushing touchdown.

Due to his presence on the Patriots’ roster for eight games before his trade to the 49ers, he was eligible for league-based payments tied to the Patriots’ playoff performance, earning $107,000 because the Patriots reached Super Bowl LII.

On February 8, 2018, Garoppolo and the 49ers reached an agreement on a groundbreaking 5-year contract worth up to $137.5 million, making it the largest contract in NFL history in terms of annual value at the time.

This deal included nearly $90 million in guarantees during the first three years, setting another record as the largest total in NFL history.

In April 2018, his peers voted him the 90th-best player on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2018 list.

2018 Season

In the 2018 season, during a Week 3 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, Garoppolo made valuable contributions, accumulating 251 passing yards and delivering two touchdowns.

However, his promising performance took an unfortunate turn when he had to exit the game due to a left knee injury.

This injury had a significant impact on the game and his overall season. The incident marked a challenging season for both Garoppolo and the San Francisco 49ers. Despite this setback, his talent and determination remained evident in his efforts on the field.

Subsequent examinations revealed that he had torn his ACL, prematurely concluding his season. Consequently, the 49ers concluded the season with a 4–12 record.

2019 Season

Jimmy Garoppolo made a comeback from his injury in time for the 2019 season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, throwing for 166 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in a 31–17 victory.

In the following game against the Cincinnati Bengals, he delivered an impressive performance with 297 passing yards, three touchdowns, and one interception, resulting in a 41–17 win.

In Week 9, during Thursday Night Football, Garoppolo continued to make his mark against the Arizona Cardinals.

He showcased his skills by accumulating 317 passing yards and delivering four touchdowns, playing a crucial role in the team’s 28–25 victory. This standout performance highlighted his effectiveness as a quarterback.

Although he faced a tough loss in Week 10 against the Seattle Seahawks, throwing for 248 yards, a touchdown, and an interception in a 27–24 overtime defeat.

Jimmy Garoppolo made a strong recovery in the following game against the Arizona Cardinals, amassing 424 passing yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions in an impressive 36–26 victory.

Week 12 brought a matchup with the Green Bay Packers, where he contributed 253 passing yards and two touchdowns in a dominant 37–8 win. 

His outstanding performance in Week 14 against the New Orleans Saints, comprising 349 passing yards, four touchdowns, and one interception, earned him the prestigious NFC Offensive Player of the Week award. This recognition underlined his exceptional contributions as a quarterback in that game.

During Week 17 against the Seattle Seahawks, he secured a crucial 26–21 victory, completing 18-of-22 passes for 285 yards, although he didn’t throw any touchdowns or interceptions.

This win clinched the NFC West title and secured home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs for the 49ers. By the conclusion of the 2019 season, Garoppolo had accumulated 3,978 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.

Despite narrowly missing out on the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award, he finished just one vote behind Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

In the Divisional Round of the playoffs against the Minnesota Vikings, Garoppolo added 131 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception to secure a 27–10 victory.

He was dealing with a knee injury, which limited his involvement to just eight pass attempts in the 37–20 NFC Championship win over the Green Bay Packers, completing six for 77 yards.

In Super Bowl LIV against the Kansas City Chiefs, Garoppolo made 31 pass attempts and completed 20 for 219 yards, resulting in one touchdown and two interceptions. However, his efforts weren’t enough, and the game ended in a 31–20 loss.

Notably, his team had a ten-point lead with only seven minutes remaining in the game, but the Chiefs staged a remarkable comeback, scoring 21 points in just five minutes to secure the victory.

He received well-deserved recognition in the NFL Top 100 Players of 2019, securing the 43rd spot as voted by his fellow players.

2020 Season

During the 2020 season, Jimmy Garoppolo took the field for the 49ers in Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals, where he accumulated 259 passing yards and tossed two touchdowns in a closely contested 24–20 loss. 

In the following game against the New York Jets, he showcased his talents by accumulating 131 passing yards and delivering two touchdowns. Unfortunately, his performance was cut short as he had to exit the game at halftime due to an ankle sprain.

This prompted Nick Mullens to step in as his replacement. Following this, Garoppolo was sidelined for the next two games against the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles.

However, he returned to the starting lineup in Week 5 for the matchup against the Miami Dolphins.

Regrettably, during this game against the Dolphins, Garoppolo struggled, completing only seven passes out of 17 attempts for 77 yards and throwing two interceptions before being benched at halftime in favor of C. J. Beathard. This challenging performance resulted in a 43–17 loss.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan explained that he benched Garoppolo because he was concerned about his recovery from injury and didn’t want to risk aggravating it.

In the subsequent game against the Los Angeles Rams, Garoppolo showcased his skills with a performance that included 268 passing yards and three touchdowns, contributing to a 24–16 victory.

Week 7 saw him facing his former team, the New England Patriots, where he threw for 277 yards and suffered two interceptions in a 33–6 win.

However, Week 8 presented a challenging matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. Garoppolo completed just 11 of 16 passes for a mere 84 yards and an interception before injuring his ankle in the fourth quarter, ultimately giving way to Mullens.

Unfortunately, the 49ers fell short, losing 37–27. The day after the game, it was revealed that Garoppolo would be sidelined indefinitely due to re-aggravating his high ankle sprain.

Consequently, on November 5, 2020, he was placed on injured reserve with a designated return date of December 22. He began practicing with the team again but was not activated before the end of the season.

2021 Season

In the opening game of the season, Week 1, facing the Detroit Lions, he posted 314 passing yards and a touchdown but encountered a fumble in a 41–33 triumph.

Week 3 presented a matchup against the Green Bay Packers, where Garoppolo contributed 254 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception, though he also experienced a fumble in a close 30–28 loss.

Then, in Week 4 against the Seattle Seahawks, Garoppolo managed 165 passing yards, a touchdown, and an interception before exiting the game in the second half due to a calf injury.

The 49ers lost 28–21, and Garoppolo missed Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals as well. In Week 8 against the Chicago Bears, he had two rushing touchdowns and 322 yards passing in a 33–22 victory. 

In Week 18, facing the Los Angeles Rams, Garoppolo delivered a performance with 316 passing yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions.

Despite the challenges, Jimmy Garoppolo played a pivotal role in the 49ers’ comeback, securing a thrilling 27–24 overtime victory and clinching a playoff spot. Over the regular season, Garoppolo participated in 15 games, missing two due to injury.

His total contributions included 3,810 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and three additional rushing touchdowns, as the 49ers closed out the regular season with a 10–7 record.

Advancing to the Wild Card Round of the playoffs against the Dallas Cowboys, Garoppolo managed to accumulate 172 passing yards. During this crucial matchup, he faced an interception, impacting the game.

The game concluded with a 23–17 victory for his team, the San Francisco 49ers. Garoppolo’s performance in this contest played a significant role in their playoff success.

His contributions in the Wild Card Round proved pivotal in securing the win against the Dallas Cowboys.

In the subsequent Divisional Round, he accumulated 131 passing yards and encountered another interception, leading the 49ers to a surprising 13–10 upset win against the favored Green Bay Packers.

However, in the NFC Championship matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, Garoppolo amassed 232 passing yards and tossed two touchdowns. Unfortunately, he also delivered a costly interception to Travin Howard in the final two minutes, resulting in a heartbreaking 20–17 loss.

2022 Season

Trey Lance, the former backup quarterback, was named the starter for the season, edging out Jimmy Garoppolo. 

Nevertheless, the 49ers and Garoppolo agreed on a one-year contract to retain him on the team, which included a fully guaranteed base salary of $6.5 million.

During Week 2, in a match against the Seattle Seahawks, Garoppolo was called into action in the first quarter following Trey Lance’s unfortunate broken ankle injury.

Jimmy Garoppolo had an impressive performance, throwing for 154 yards, a touchdown, and also rushing for another touchdown in a 27–7 victory.

After that game, it became clear that Lance’s injury would force him to remain sidelined for the remainder of the season, resulting in Garoppolo retaking the starting role for the rest of the campaign.

In Week 3, the 49ers faced off against the Denver Broncos, where an unusual misstep by Garoppolo saw him inadvertently step out of the back of the end zone, resulting in a safety.

Week 7 pitted Garoppolo against the Kansas City Chiefs, where he completed 25 of 37 passes for 303 yards and two passing touchdowns but also suffered one interception in a 44–23 loss.

The subsequent game witnessed an impressive performance by Garoppolo as he completed 21 of 25 attempts for 235 yards and two touchdowns, earning a stellar passer rating of 132.5 in a convincing 31–14 victory against the archrival Los Angeles Rams.

However, during Week 13’s matchup against the Miami Dolphins, disaster struck as Garoppolo sustained a foot injury in the first quarter.

Initially, it was expected that he would undergo surgery, potentially ending his season. Rookie Brock Purdy stepped in admirably, guiding the team to a 33–17 triumph.

Subsequently, on December 6, 2022, ESPN reported that Garoppolo’s injury was not as severe as initially thought, as it was not a Lisfranc foot injury, and he had a return timetable of 7-8 weeks. Nevertheless, Garoppolo did not come back for the rest of the season. 

In his absence, the 49ers wrapped up the season with a commendable 13–4 record. However, their journey was marred by injuries to Purdy and Josh Johnson, ultimately resulting in their defeat by the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game.

2023 Season

Jimmy Garoppolo signed a three-year, $67.5 million contract with the Las Vegas Raiders. Garoppolo’s arrival in Las Vegas brought him back with Raiders’ head coach Josh McDaniels, who had previously served as the offensive coordinator during Garoppolo’s tenure with the New England Patriots.

However, a significant turning point came on October 31, 2023, when Garoppolo was benched in favor of rookie Aidan O’Connell.

This decision followed a challenging start to the season, where Garoppolo led the NFL in interceptions, and the team struggled to a 3-5 record.

It’s worth noting that this change coincided with the surprising dismissal of the Raiders’ head coach, Josh McDaniels.

FAQs about Jimmy Garoppolo

Is Jimmy Garoppolo in a relationship?

In 2018, there were rumors of a relationship between Jimmy Garoppolo and Kiara Mia, a well-known adult film star.

However, Jimmy Garoppolo has consistently preferred to keep his personal life out of the spotlight. As of 2023, he is reportedly single and remains focused on his NFL career.

What is Jimmy Garoppolo famous for?

Born on November 2, 1991, James Garoppolo, affectionately known as “Jimmy G,” currently serves as the quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders in the National Football League (NFL).

What is Jimmy G’s loss record?

Jimmy Garoppolo boasts an impressive career record of 56 wins and 24 losses.

Player Name | Games Played (GP) | Career Record (REC)

Jimmy Garoppolo | 80 | 56-24

How many playoff games has Garoppolo won?

Throughout his career, Jimmy Garoppolo has a playoff record of 5 wins and two losses.

Is Jimmy Garoppolo a champion?

Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, now with the Las Vegas Raiders, achieved Super Bowl success as a two-time champion during his time with the New England Patriots.

References

1. Jimmy Garoppolo – Wikipedia
2. Tanner Gentry – Wikipedia
3. Henry Ruggs Net Worth
4. Jimmy Garoppolo’s Wife – Martha Clarke
5. NG Teknoloji – About Us
6. Jimmy Garoppolo – Celebily
7. Who is Jimmy Garoppolo from San Francisco 49ers – Biography Tribune
8. Jimmy Garoppolo – db0nus869y26v.cloudfront.net
9. Jimmy Garoppolo – OSD Sports
10. Ginebra storms past Meralco to retake the lead – Dugout Philippines
11. Super Bowl 56 Prop Bets – OnlineGambling.com
12. Russell Wilson – MetroBiography
13. Garoppolo Leads 49ers into the Super Bowl – Italian Tribune
14. 49ers’ Shanahan won’t guarantee Garoppolo’s ’21 return – National Football Post
15. College Football Recap – ESPN
16. Louisiana Tech handles business downs Rice 28-13 – Underdog Dynasty
17. Jimmy Garoppolo Net Worth – Chamberlain Sun
18. 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo Faces 3-Month Recovery Time to Return from Foot Injury – Bleacher Report
19. Jimmy Garoppolo – OSD Sports
20. Yankees likely call up Clint Frazier in September – Larry Brown Sports
21. Veteran QB Signing with the New Orleans Saints – Gridiron Heroics
22. Cleveland Browns Never Had a Chance in Jimmy Garoppolo Chase – Cleveland.com
23. Jimmy Garoppolo – Bologny
24. Cordarrelle Patterson Wife: Is Cordarrelle Patterson Married? – MufcArena
25. Saquon Barkley Named NFC Offensive Player of the Week – New York Giants