Packers Super Bowl winner not impressed with Raiders signing Jimmy Garoppolo

The Las Vegas Raiders signed Jimmy Garoppolo to take over as their starting quarterback ahead of the 2023 NFL season.

He will replace Derek Carr, who was recently released by the organization and proceeded to sign with the New Orleans Saints during the 2023 NFL free agency period. The change comes as a result of the Raiders' disappointing 2022 season, missing out on the NFL Playoffs.

While the team believes this quarterback change is exactly what they need to get back into contention for a potential run at a Super Bowl ring, not everyone shares their enthusiasm.

Former wide receiver James Jones recently expressed skepticism about the Raiders' recent move. He appeared on an episode of "Up & Adams" to share his take on the situation.

Here's what he had to say when Kay Adams asked if he believes Jimmy Garoppolo is an upgrade from Derek Carr:

"That's a tough question. I mean, I wouldn't say he's an upgrade on Derek Carr. You know, everybody knows how high I am on Derek Carr, and that does not mean Jimmy Garoppolo cannot play because we've seen Jimmy Garoppolo take the San Francisco 49ers to NFC Championship after NFC Championship.

He added:

So, I think the main thing to this thing is, Jimmy G is capable of winning football games. Jimmy G is a winner. You hear everybody talk about that. You can say whatever you want to say about Jimmy G. Well, you had this defense, well you had that. You can say whatever you want, the guy wins."

The former wide receiver also stated:

"I think that's the main thing that the Raiders looked at is, 'Hey, we got a guy under center that is capable of winning football games and he doesn't have to do it by himself.

Jones continued:

He has big top playmakers on that offensive side of the ball in Josh Jacobs and Hunter Renfrow, obviously Davante Adams, and you just plugged in Jakobi Meyers and Phillip Dorsett, so he's in good hands with what he has over there. And we all know that he's capable of winning football games."

James Jones is familiar with Derek Carr because they spent the 2014 NFL season together with the Raiders. Jones spent the rest of his career with the Green Bay Packers, including winning a Super Bowl ring with Aaron Rodgers, so he knows what it's like to play with elite quarterbacks.

While Jones seems to lean towards Carr as the better quarterback, he also acknowledges how much of a winner Jimmy Garoppolo has been during his career. While he has excelled during the NFL Playoffs, Carr has failed to win any postseason games during his career.

Jimmy Garoppolo's postseason success is his biggest asset

Jimmy Garoppolo

While Jimmy Garoppolo has two Super Bowl rings, both were earned as backups for Tom Brady with the New England Patriots. He then joined the San Francisco 49ers to take over as their starting quarterback, where he proved to be a consistent winner.

He owns a stellar 44-19 career record as a starter, including a 4-2 record in the NFL Playoffs.

Garoppolo helped the 49ers reach the postseason three times, winning multiple playoff games in each appearance. He also led them to a Super Bowl appearance, but came up just short of winning the ring. The Raiders are hoping he can earn his first ring as a starter when he comes to Las Vegas.