New England Patriots Commentary: Keeping Jimmy Garoppolo a Smart Move

The New England Patriots are reportedly not expected to trade backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo despite months of rumors.

Is Jimmy Garoppolo the Steve Young or Aaron Rodgers type successor to Tom Brady? The New England Patriots and many experts around the NFL certainly believe so… at least for now.

As reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter Thursday, the Patriots are not expected to trade backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. This means Bill Belichick believes in the Eastern Illinois product and sees him as the next franchise quarterback of the New England Patriots.

In a move that will have a ripple effect on all QB-needy teams, Patriots are not expected to trade QB Jimmy Garoppolo, per league sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 1, 2017

In deciding not to trade Garoppolo, the Patriots must also prepare to pay the backup quarterback who is entering the last year of his rookie contract. So the question is whether the Patriots are willing to pay Garoppolo starting quarterback money just to sit behind Tom Brady for another few seasons. A further question is whether Garoppolo, who is ready to play now, would accept an extension with the Patriots to sit behind Brady for another 2 to 3 seasons?

With Brady approaching 40 years old, the team keeping him around for at least another season is the smart move by the team. If Brady shows any signs of a decline this season, then the Patriots will decide then whether to extend Garoppolo and make him the next quarterback. If Brady is still going strong they can decide to franchise him and then trade him like they did with Matt Cassell following the 2008 season.

Trade still possible?

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Now is there a chance Belichick and the Patriots could be bluffing about not trading Garoppolo to gain more leverage out of the team’s calling about a trade? In the NFL and with the Patriots, you can never say never, but it appears the team is content about the prospect they have in their 2014 second-round pick.

In an appearance on Ordway, Merloni & Fauria radio show Thursday, Schefter reiterated what he said about the team’s seriousness about not trading Garoppolo and sees him as the quarterback of the future.

"“This is nothing about smoke, this is nothing about leverage, this is nothing about them not getting the price they wanted. This is about one thing plain and simple: They really like Jimmy Garoppolo and they don’t want to get rid of Jimmy Garoppolo,” Schefter said via WEEI. “They think that good, young quarterbacks in the league are tough to come by. It is the most valuable commodity there is. If you don’t have a good young quarterback, they are doomed.”"

Though Jimmy Garoppolo only played six quarters as the team’s starting quarterback, the way he led the team during that small period of time shows he can be the next guy. He looks the part, he knows the system and has learned from one of the best in the game.

Trust me, the high first-round draft picks the San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns or Chicago Bears can offer are enticing. At the end of the day, however, those draft picks are not as valuable as having the next guy who can lead this franchise for the next decade or so.

Next: Boston Red Sox 2017 Player Previews: Pablo Sandoval

In summary, Jimmy Garoppolo still has to prove that he is the real deal. He has shown signs that he is and most importantly, have shown enough on the field and in practice for one of the greatest coaches of all time to show belief in him.

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