Jacoby Brissett is returning to practice today, meaning that he will be the Patriots’ player to be designated for return from the injured reserve list (Twitter link via Ben Volin of The Boston Globe). The Patriots now have 21 days until they have to put him on the 53-man roster or shut him down for the year. 
When Tom Brady accepted his four-game suspension for his role in the Deflategate scandal, the Pats were forced to turn to youngster Jimmy Garoppolo. When Garoppolo was taken out by a big hit from Dolphins linebacker Kiko Alonso, New England elevated Brissett to the starting role. Despite concerns that he was too green for the job – and that included ally Bill Parcells – Brissett was a solid fill-in. Unfortunately, he was slowed by a thumb injury and had surgery for it in early October.
The prevailing thought at the time was that Brissett would be stashed on IR with an eye on 2017. However, the Pats did not have a better candidate for return. Notables like tackle Sebastian Vollmer and Jonathan Freeny technically could have been brought back, but their respective maladies made that impossible.
This offseason, the Patriots could hypothetically trade Garoppolo to a QB-needy team and bump Brissett up to the No. 2 job behind Brady.
Trading Garoppolo for picks would be a solid investment by BB, and he could do the same with Brissett in a couple of years
I think they trade him for a pick, but if they can’t get a pick in the first 3 rounds for him then they should keep him. One of them will be TB12s replacement even though I wish he would be this good forever. And they could easily sign/draft a backup QB for when TB12 does retire. I think either Brissett or Gorapolo could be the next QB starter, Jimmy G knows the system but I feel like Brissett has more talent.
Jimmy Garoppolo is gone this offseason for picks. What this move is, is to protect Garoppolo and keep him healthy for the offseason trade. Brady goes down for a game or two look for Brissett to get the time on the field and not Garoppolo. Patriots are being careful not to dent the car before they sell it.
If Brady gets hurt Garopoolo plays, not Brissett. Thats why he is #2 on the depth chart.
Garopolo is gone Nicky boy..depth chart don’t mean shit…it’s called a salary cap,they’re gonna trade him because Brady will still be pats QB when he is due his 1st big contract..u don’t pay backups Brock osweiler money,they leave & u get dick,or u trade em…he’s GONE.yes,he’s better than brisset. That don’t mean dick tho