New England Patriots rumors: Jimmy Garoppolo the best option out there

Now that Matthew Stafford is off the table the New England Patriots are now on to Jimmy Garoppolo, at least that would make the most sense.

With the NFL quarterback carousel getting off to a very unpredictable start with the blockbuster trade between the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams, there is no telling which quarterback lands in the hands of Bill Belichick, but we certainly know which one makes the most sense.

Yes, Deshaun Watson would be monumental, and Aaron Rodgers would be classic, but in reality, the Patriots probably can’t afford either given what the Rams had to give up for Stafford.  Quite frankly, Belichick has so many holes to fill, giving up draft capital or talent aside from Stephon Gilmore would not be ideal.

So, to reference Belichick’s classic “we’re on to Cincinnati” quote, the Patriots should be on to Garoppolo, a quarterback like Jared Goff who may not be in his current team’s plans as far as making the next step and winning a Super Bowl.

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Yes, there are durability issues and questions of toughness, but no other quarterback available knows the Patriots offensive system more than Garoppolo and the way Belichick has praised him when he was on the team and as the quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, a reunion would definitely on the table if the 49ers made Jimmy G available, which there is a good bet they will.

Jimmy Garoppolo is the best option for the New England Patriots

With other options out there to explore, ESPN’s Mike Reiss expects the Patriots to do their due diligence, but the best option is certainly the quarterback they drafted and groomed.

Reiss writes, via ESPN:

"“Garoppolo is probably the Patriots’ best option in terms of fit and what it would take to acquire him (less than a first-rounder).  But there’s no guarantee San Francisco is willing to move him, unless something potentially better comes along.”"

To note, the Patriots received a second-round pick in exchange for Garoppolo, so it could take at least that and a player to get him back via trade given that he is more of an established starting quarterback that he was before he left.

As far as the 49ers making him available if something better comes along.  Well, we just saw a team like the Rams shift a quarterback out of town when Stafford became available.  That could also happen in San Francisco if they became Watson’s or even Aaron Rodgers’ destination.

In summary, fate seems to be leading Jimmy Garoppolo back to Bill Belichick, which would be the perfect way for the New England Patriots to get back to their winning ways with a guy they drafted as the next guy.