Jimmy Garoppolo Signs a 4-year Contract With the New Orleans Saints, $105 Million as their new…
Jimmy Garoppolo Signs 4-Year, $105 Million Deal With New Orleans Saints, Set to Lead as Starting Quarterback
New Orleans, LA — May 15, 2025
In a bold move to strengthen their offense and find long-term stability at quarterback, the New Orleans Saints have signed veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to a four-year contract worth $105 million. The deal, which includes $65 million in guaranteed money, signals the Saints’ clear intention to make Garoppolo their starter for the foreseeable future.
The announcement was made early Wednesday morning by the Saints’ front office, following several weeks of speculation around the team’s quarterback situation. The deal puts an end to ongoing questions about the Saints’ direction at quarterback after an inconsistent 2024 season that saw multiple players under center.
A Fresh Start in the Bayou
Garoppolo, 33, joins the Saints after a brief and injury-riddled stint with the Las Vegas Raiders. His tenure in Vegas was marred by injuries and inconsistent performances, culminating in the team moving on from him in the offseason. Despite those setbacks, New Orleans sees Garoppolo as the experienced, high-IQ leader who can provide stability and veteran presence to a young, talented roster.
In his introductory press conference, Garoppolo expressed excitement about the new chapter in his career.
“I’m honored to join a franchise with the history and passion of the Saints,” Garoppolo said. “New Orleans is a special place, and I’m here to win. I’m grateful for the opportunity and ready to get to work.”
Saints head coach Dennis Allen also spoke to the media, praising Garoppolo’s leadership and poise.
“Jimmy is a proven winner. He’s played in big games, led teams deep into the playoffs, and understands what it takes to be a leader in this league,” Allen said. “We believe he’s the right guy to guide this team.”
The Financial Details
Garoppolo’s 4-year, $105 million contract makes him one of the higher-paid quarterbacks in the NFC South, a division currently in transition at the position. The deal reportedly includes a $30 million signing bonus and incentives that could push the total value higher based on playoff performance and statistical milestones.
NFL insiders suggest the Saints structured the contract to remain flexible with the salary cap, ensuring they can continue to build around Garoppolo with key offensive weapons and bolster the offensive line.
The Saints’ Quarterback Search Comes to an End
After years of searching for a successor to franchise legend Drew Brees, the Saints have tried a variety of stopgap options — including Jameis Winston, Taysom Hill, Andy Dalton, and Derek Carr — but none provided the long-term answer the team needed. Garoppolo’s arrival, while not without risk, represents a strategic investment in experience and leadership.
Last season, the Saints finished 8–9, narrowly missing the playoffs and facing criticism for their lack of offensive consistency. With a strong defense already in place, the front office’s priority this offseason was to find a quarterback capable of managing games efficiently while providing enough upside to compete in big moments.
What Garoppolo Brings to the Table
Garoppolo’s career has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. After beginning his career as Tom Brady’s backup in New England, he was traded to the San Francisco 49ers in 2017, where he led the team to a Super Bowl appearance in 2019. Known for his quick release and pocket awareness, Garoppolo has a career record of 45–20 as a starter and boasts a career completion rate of nearly 67%.
His leadership qualities and experience in high-pressure environments were reportedly key factors in the Saints’ decision.
“Jimmy’s played in big games — conference championships, Super Bowls. That kind of experience is rare,” said Saints GM Mickey Loomis. “We believe he can help mentor our young players and elevate the team as a whole.”
Looking Ahead
With the addition of Garoppolo, the Saints are expected to make a significant push in the NFC South, a division without a clear dominant team. They’ll enter the 2025 season with a solid supporting cast that includes wide receiver Chris Olave, running back Alvin Kamara, and one of the league’s better defensive units.
The team is also expected to make additional moves in the upcoming weeks to further fortify the offensive line and add depth to their receiving corps.
For Garoppolo, this represents perhaps the final major opportunity to cement his legacy as a starting quarterback in the NFL.