If the New England Patriots are going to trade backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, it would be this week leading into the NFL Draft.
Of course, anything can happen when talking about transaction moves regarding the New England Patriots. Considering Bill Belichick’s track record, fans should expect something totally unexpected this week as the 2017 NFL Draft approaches.
One thing fans should expect, according to Adam Schefter, is that backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will go to training camp as a member of the defending Super Bowl champions.
But this is old news when it comes to Schefter. Despite the Cleveland Browns peak interest in the former second-round pick, the ESPN NFL Insider has been adamant that the Patriots will not part with Garoppolo no matter how many draft picks the Browns or any other team attempts to blow them away with.
In fact, Schefter reaffirmed his stance Sunday night with the following tweet:
ICYMI (in February): Jimmy Garappolo isn't going anywhere. His name continues to surface in trade rumors and speculation - not happening.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 23, 2017
As much inside information Schefter has regarding Jimmy Garoppolo rumors, it would not be surprising if a trade does indeed happen. Considering the fact that the Patriots do not have a first or second round pick entering this Thursday’s draft, one has to believe Belichick is up to something.
Not everyone is as convinced as Schefter
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Whether it is a deal involving star cornerback Malcolm Butler or Garoppolo, one has to believe the team has something up their sleeves. NFL Network’s Mike Mayock believes so. Unlike Adam Schefter, he has not completely ruled out a potential deal.
Last week, Mayock discussed his thoughts while appearing on ESPN’s Mike & Mike.
"“The whole thing with New England and [Jimmy] Garoppolo I think is intriguing,” Mayock said, via WEEI. “They drafted Jacoby Brissett a year ago and I think he is the key whether or not Bill Belichick ultimately ends up freeing Garoppolo on draft day.Meaning he has a year left on his contract and if he wants to be a starting quarterback in the NFL, who knows if Tom Brady is going to last one year or five more. Really the guy that has all the leverage in this, I think is Garoppolo. I think Belichick is a very smart man and he is sitting back there thinking, ‘I drafted Brissett in the third round.’ And whatever Bill thinks about Brissett — can he be a starting quarterback in two years, or not, I think will determine whether or not they deal Garoppolo.”"
He went on to laud Jimmy Garoppolo as a better quarterback than anyone in this draft and the Browns as being crazy not to do whatever it takes to obtain him. That very reason is also why the New England Patriots may not be willing to part with him.
They may feel he is the closest thing they have to a Tom Brady replacement. For that reason alone, they may just hold on to him no matter what any team offers.
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