Jimmy Garoppolo Embracing the 'Trickle-Down Effect'

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell learned from one of the best on how to be a mentor.

When Las Vegas Raiders Coach Josh McDaniels first began working with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in New England, the young quarterback out of Eastern Illinois had his whole career ahead of him.

Garoppolo was fortunate to come into the league with the dynasty that was the New England Patriots, where he immediately had one of the greatest coaches of all time, Bill Belichick, and one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, Tom Brady, at his disposal.

Now, as McDaniels and Garoppolo have reunited in Las Vegas, Garoppolo is a 31-year-old veteran in the room and has become familiar with being a mentor.

Last year, his final season with the San Francisco 49ers, Garoppolo led a quarterback room that consisted of two quarterback prodigies: Trey Lance and Brock Purdy.

Purdy, of course, would make a name for himself when he stepped in and led the 49ers to the NFC Championship game after Garoppolo went down in Week 13.

As he prepares to start a new season with the third NFL team of his career, Garoppolo could very well have another special rookie serving behind him, as fourth-round pick Aidan O'Connell has shined in the Raiders' first two preseason games.

Yet again, Garoppolo can reflect back on his days playing behind Brady for inspiration on how to be a role model.

"It kinda just comes naturally, I think," Garoppolo told our own Hondo S. Carpenter Sr. after Las Vegas' preseason win over the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday. "I was blessed as a young guy to be around Tom [Brady] and some great other quarterbacks just kind of showing me the ropes. So, it's kind of just that trickle-down effect. I mean when you put good people together -- Aidan's [O'Connell] a good dude. Chicago guy, obviously -- but no, when you put good people together, I think we work well together."

The Silver and Black return to preseason action when they play the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 26, at 8 p.m. EDT/5 p.m. PDT.

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