The Patriots have drafted a number of quarterbacks over the past 15 or so years to back up Tom Brady, including Matt Cassel, Ryan Mallett, and (my personal favorite) Rohan Davey. However, none of these signal-callers held as much intrigue as current second-string quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
The Patriots hadn’t drafted a quarterback in the first two rounds since Drew Bledsoe in 1993, which added plenty of hype around the team’s second-round selection of Garoppolo during the 2014 draft. While many declared him the heir apparent to Brady, the Eastern Illinois product didn’t have much of a chance to showcase his skills during his first two years in the league. Excluding brief cameos during the 2014 season, Garoppolo served mostly as coach Bill Belichick’s victory cigar.
That was until this past season, when the third-year player had an opportunity to start the first four games of the season while Brady served his four-game suspension. The 25-year-old showed plenty of poise during his first two starts, completing 71-percent of his passes for 496 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Unfortunately, Garoppolo injured his AC joint during that Week 2 victory, and rookie Jacoby Brissett ultimately took over as the starter until Brady’s return.
Brady was dynamic following his suspension, throwing a career-low two interceptions while completing 67.4-percent of his passes (his highest completion percentage since his record-breaking 2007 campaign). Of course, the former MVP also led his team to the biggest Super Bowl comeback of all-time, giving him a record fifth ring.
Despite being 39-years-old, Brady hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down, and this has predictably led to trade speculation regarding his back-up. These whispers have now been lingering for months, but the logic goes beyond the fact that Garoppolo is more than a decade younger than Brady. The quarterback is set to become an unrestricted free agent following next season. The Texans dished out $37MM in guaranteed money to Brock Osweiler following seven starts, so there’s no doubt that some desperate team would commit long-term money to Garoppolo.
Would the Patriots be willing to spend the money to retain him? The organization could re-sign the quarterback, or they could even opt to franchise him following the 2017 season. However, Brady has continually restructured his contract, and the current iteration of his deal lasts through the 2019 season. Even then, reports from this weekend indicated that the team was looking to extend Brady again next offseason. Plus, the Patriots still have Brissett signed to his rookie contract, and reports indicate that the organization is intrigued by the young signal-caller.
There certainly would be a number of teams willing to give up some assets for Garoppolo. Recent reports have connected the Bears, Browns, and 49ers to the quarterback, and more teams will surely pop up as the offseason continues. For what it’s worth, recent reports indicated that the Patriots would be willing to move their young quarterback, and the team is apparently seeking a first- and fourth-round pick in return.
The downside is all based on hypotheticals. Brady could realistically fall off a cliff suddenly, similar to what happened to Peyton Manning in 2015. Brady could also suffer a devastating injury, leaving the team with no options besides Brissett. Of course, Brady will have to retire eventually, and having a replacement ready to go has typically worked out for franchises.
That leads to my question: should the Patriots trade Jimmy Garoppolo? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.
I loved Rohan Davey! Happy to see someone else still remembers him 🙂
Trade him and sell high
Yeah if Cleveland will trade the 12th pick and a 4th pull the trigger
Yup.
Cleveland won’t but I could see bears or even 9ers
Pats want a first and a 3rd or 4th to start…9ers and Bears have #2 and #3 picks…would one of them offer one of those picks to start? If so, Cle will have to give the #1 pick to beat them.
I am optimistic that the Pats could get a first round pick, but 1,2 or 3 are difficult to fathom. Maybe if we give up our #32 pick and get a second and 3rd rnd in return?
I don’t see any of those teams offering their top pick (top 3 pick). I could see Cleveland offering #12 if they don’t think Watson will be there/Garoppolo will be better than any of the QBs in the draft. And at the cost of the #1 pick, Cleveland would definitely not trade for Garoppolo and would probably laugh at whichever sucker gave up a top 10 pick for Garoppolo.
I love Jimmy, but Matt Flynn has me really wary. If you can get a good first rounder for him they should pull the trigger.
Niners need a QB so badly; losing that first round pick would suck.
What about Michael Bishop?
A history of QBs traded for first round the picks.
link to google.com
Pats will not pick a player in the top 10 if they were to get a high pick. They would get the 3rd or 4th and trade early first rounder and turn it into teens and couple other pick in nxt few rounds. Only player I would say they push to get is Mike Williams from Clemson
Browns 12th pick was acquired from PHI for Wentz – that could be some silver lining. Steep price but it doesn’t look like any QBs in draft are nfl ready.
The Browns are actually in the best position in regards to acquiring Garoppolo. Unless a team picking later in the 1st round starts showing interest (Texans, Saints, etc.), the Browns have the most leverage. How? They have the most to offer. Unless the Bears or 49ers are completely stupid and trade their high 1st round picks, they can only offer a high 2nd round pick, which the Browns can also trump with #33. As it stands now, the Browns can offer #33 and a 2018 3rd or 4th, then sit back and see if the Bears and 49ers are willing to beat that. If they offer 2017 2nd and 2018 2nd, the Browns can increase the offer to #12 and a 2018 4th and force the Bears or 49ers to offer #2 or #3 or walk away. Or the Browns could wait until they are on the clock with #12, see who is still available. If no one they like is there, try to trade down to acquire extra picks and then with the first round pick they acquire to move down, offer it for Garoppolo. They have the best options right now, no need to rush in and start the bidding at #12. In fact, start it with the 2nd pick in the 2nd round they have and a 2018 pick.
To be honest, the MOST I would actually be willing to give up to get Garoppolo would be #33 and a 2018 4th (possibly conditional to a 3rd depending on how well he plays). The only way I would give up a 1st round pick would be: trade down from #12 to the #16-20 range, then offer that pick ALONE for Garoppolo -OR- offer the #12 pick for Garoppolo and a 2018 3rd or 4th (conditional based on how well he plays – doesn’t play well, Browns get the 3rd; plays well, they get the 4th).
Don’t like the terms, Patriots? Keep him and see if you can sign him, get more from someone else, or lose him and maybe get a 3rd round pick for him. Any of that works for me.
Use the 12th pick in the draft for a starter on defense for 4 years, with a 5th year option, or trade it for a qb who has started 4 games with one year left on his deal? Easy decision for the Browns. jimmy g is probably a starting qb in the league, but no reason to overpay for a relative unknown with 1 year remaining. As long as the Browns defense is bottom 5 in the league, they won’t be winning much no matter who the qb is.
Those offers won’t get it done. The Vikings gave up a list and a 4th for Sam Bradford so that is the starting point for Jimmy G. The Patriots got the 33rd pick for Matt Cassel and Jimmy G has much more potential in his little finger than Matt Cassel.
I think Clevelands 1st and 4th would get it done. I could also see the Bears or the Brown keeping this years 1st rounders and offering future 1st rounders instead to get a deal done.
Patriots price should be a first and forth round pick prefer to deal with Cleveland. Pick up a Tight end (Mayo),Wide Receiver 《Williams)and Running Back McCaffrey)work on the defensive with the rest of the picks ….Sign Hightower,Branch,Butler,Ryan,Long,Shread. Pick up A linebacker Clay Matthews if cut by the Packers and we Will get a pick 6 rings .
Sounds pretty great, unfortunately, the NFL employs a salary cap…
I’d like the Browns at 12, with a 4th next year that escalates to a 3rd if he resigns and escalates to a 2nd if he resigns and puts up certain statistics (they’d be basically unacheiveable stats, but it covers their butts if he goes off in CLE.)
The Patriots should trade jimmy because he has a good use for the bears