At this point I think you have to keep him. It’s too important a position and though Tom has certainly been resilient, I just think you need a level of insurance. In the past I was okay with potentially moving Mallett just because I didn’t think he’d be a long-term fit for the Pats’ offensive philosophy. But with Garoppolo I don’t think they’ll find a much better option to turn the keys over to in a year or two.
At the very least, Garoppolo playing well would set up for a more legitimate competition at the position in 2016.
And then of course in 2017 both will enter the last years of their contracts and that’s when it’s game on. Brady’s dead cap hit also drops to $6 million in 2017, that will mean Garoppolo will have every opportunity to unseat him, which would potentially result in Brady’s release. Brady will turn 40 at the start of camp in 2017.