Storyline: Will Garoppolo stick with the Pats or will he end up with another team? It’s one of the big questions leading into the ’17 NFL Draft.
New England Patriots back-up quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo, has been a figure of much speculation ever since the Patriots were crowned Super Bowl LV champions. He’s about to enter the final year of his contract and there’s renewed interest in Garappolo.
Courtesy: Sports Illustrated
While Garoppolo shows signs of being a NFL starter, it became clear in the days following the Pats last Super Bowl win that Tom Brady has no intention of hanging up his cleats any time soon. So where might Jimmy Garoppolo end up?
Cleveland Browns: Cleveland would be the most obvious destination. Not only do the Browns have the first overall pick in the draft, but they could offer New England the 12th overall pick should they value Garoppolo that highly. That could entice the Patriots to part with Jimmy G. The Browns aren’t the team most in need of a QB, they have the means to get him.
San Francisco 49ers: The 49ers are desperately in need for a quarterback. Colin Kaepernick is now gone and it’s clear that Blaine Gabbert is not the man to take San Francisco forward. New head coach Mike Shanahan has already admitted that he’s a big fan of Garoppolo. However rumours are swirling that there may be a three-way-trade in the works: Kirk Cousins being franchised tagged, then traded to San Fran for its 2nd overall pick, and the Redskins would bring in the Cowboys’ Tony Romo. If this is in the works it makes more sense to me than spending a high draft pick on Garoppolo.
Courtesy: NE Patriots
Chicago Bears: The Bears are another team that’s in desperate need of a QB. Jay Cutler will be traded, released, or will retire. The shock would see him stay in Chicago. The Bears have the 3rd overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft and the Bears may choose to use that pick to lure a QB, like Jimmy G, to Chicago. That would be a good move if the Bears can keep its wide receiver talent in place. The question is whether a high pick could be better spent on other team needs
New England Patriots: While Jimmy G staying put seems unlikely, it can’t be ruled out. New England will not be giving up a possible franchise QB for anything less than a first rounder, that’s for sure. But are the Pats willing to part with with the best backup in the game should anything happen to Tom Brady? That’s the reason you can’t rule out the possibility of Garoppolo staying in Foxboro.
Three Things To Consider
First, Garoppolo has seen limited action. Only New England knows how good he is. He’s a risky pick for other teams.
Second, Jimmy G’s injury vs Miami could be a precursor of things to come, similar to Tony Romo’s situation.
Finally, a cryptic post that Garoppolo uploaded via Instagram of him signalling ‘peace out’ at Super Bowl 51. He captioned the photo #LaFamiglia. Who knows what the meaning of that, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on.
