Gilroy native Jeff Garcia, 39, has signed a contract to play for
the Oakland Raiders next season.
UPDATED 7:12 P.M.
Jeff Garcia won’t be returning to play for the San Francisco 49ers, but his career has come full circle.
The Gilroy native and NFL quarterback confirmed he signed a one-year contract Monday to return to the Bay Area and play for the Oakland Raiders next season. The plan is for the 39-year-old signal-caller to serve as backup and mentor to former No. 1 draft pick JaMarcus Russell.
“There were a couple factors (in signing with Oakland),” Garcia said by phone Monday evening. “First and foremost is getting back into the Bay Area and being close to my family. It’s just a great opportunity to be back to my support group. I’ve had tremendous support from my family and friends, and the community of Gilroy and surrounding towns.”
After waking up at 4 a.m. to catch a flight to Oakland, Garcia was picked up from the airport and taken to the Raiders training facility in Alameda to sign his contract, Garcia said. He then ran with the team and lifted weights before taking part in quarterback meetings.
“I’ve been through it before, so I was able to fight through any sleep deprivation that might have been taking place,” he said with a laugh.
The veteran quarterback said he wasn’t receiving a lot of interest from other teams in free agency and felt it was important to make sure this opportunity did not slip away.
“I felt like if I waited any longer and let this opportunity pass me by, more than likely I would have to move my family across the country again to be a part of a team,” Garcia said. “The fact that the Raiders saw me as a player who can fit in and be a part of their organization and hopefully make a positive impact, I thought that was a positive thing for myself and for my family.”
Garcia and his wife, Carmella, have a daughter who will be 1 year old later this month. The couple is also expecting a son in a few months.
While many associate Garcia’s first shot in the NFL with the 49ers, he actually got his NFL feet wet in the summer of 1999 when trying out for then Raiders Coach Jon Gruden and General Manager Bruce Allen. The club decided to pass on the undersized signal-caller, who was then recruited by the late Bill Walsh to play for San Francisco, where he earned three Pro Bowl selections in five seasons. Nine years later, Garcia ended up signing with the Bucs, teaming up with Gruden and Allen the past two seasons. He was selected to a fourth Pro Bowl in his first season in Tampa, leading the Bucs to the NFC South division title.
Upon hearing news of the signing Monday, local fans seemed happy to hear the Gilroy native is returning to his roots.
“Just having him back in the Bay Area, I’m happy to see that,” said Mike Garcia, a Union Iron Worker for Local 377, who was watching baseball games at Stubby’s Sports Bar & Grill and is not related to the NFL quarterback.
“I always tell people I’m his cousin,” Mike Garcia joked.
Robert Verrette, a local foot and ankle surgeon who was relaxing in front of a beer at The Claddagh Irish Restaurant & Pub, thinks the veteran quarterback could surprise those who think Russell is locked in as the starter. The former top draft pick has been plagued by inconsistent play and weight problems after an extended contract holdout during his rookie year, which prevented Russell from joining the Raiders before the season started.
“[Garcia] might give [Russell] a run for his money,” Verrette said. “He could also be a good mentor for him.”
This past season, the Bucs just missed the playoffs with a 9-7 record, as Jeff Garcia had to overcome injuries, constant rumors over the summer of Brett Favre being traded to the Bucs, and clashes with his coach. He finished with 2,712 yards passing, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions. Meanwhile Russell, in his second season with the Raiders, had 2,423 yards passing, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions while completing 53.8 percent of his passes.
Jeff Garcia dismissed the notion he will supplant Russell as the Raiders’ starting quarterback, but he did say he will continue to prepare like he’s going to play each week.
“There’s not an open competition. JaMarcus Russell is the starting quarterback,” Jeff Garcia said. “He was drafted in the first round to come in and lead this team. My goal here is to help JaMarcus grow and be a better player. I’m going to compete with him every single day in the sense of pushing him and helping him open his mind to being a better player. At the same time, I’m gonna do whatever I can to prepare myself in the case it does come time for me to get on the field. If it does come, I’m going to make the most of it.”
