CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo took a step back in Friday’s 19-17 preseason win against the Carolina Panthers, while Tom Brady was rusty in his preseason debut but delivered one of the few offensive highlights of the night -- a 33-yard touchdown to receiver Chris Hogan in the second quarter.
It marked the first time Brady came off the bench since 2001 when he replaced Drew Bledsoe in the second game of the regular season.
Bill Belichick has repeated multiple times in training camp that the team’s priority was getting Garoppolo ready for the regular season as Brady is set to serve a four-game suspension, but that Brady and rookie quarterback Jacoby Brissett also were important.