Last year around Halloween the Jamie Collins trade to the Browns bombshell dropped and this year we’ve got another huge Patriots move as Adam Shefter reported the team has traded back up quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to the 49ers for a second-round pick.
Major QB shakeup: 49ers trading 2018 2nd-round draft pick to New England for Patriots’ QB Jimmy Garoppolo, sources tell ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 31, 2017
Where to start? Yeah, we all thought the Pats could get more than a second-rounder for Garoppolo. There were plenty of reports this offseason that anything short of multiple first rounders wouldn’t get the job done. Heck, Schefter was the one leading that charge. Now, getting a mere single pick, when the Pats have obvious and immediate personnel needs is a head scratcher.
But this isn’t a total shock, because let’s face it, they probably weren’t keeping Garoppolo after he hit free agency this offseason. I never bought that they’d actually give him a contract that he’d accept to remain Brady’s backup. Most likely? That they’d franchise tag him then trade him as they did with Matt Cassel. What’d they get for Cassel? Yup, a second rounder.
They need this high second round pick. The loss of the 2016 first rounder and the misses on other recent high end picks like Dominique Easley and Cyrus Jones. You have to go all the way back to 2011 to find a first-taken Patriots player who played against the Chargers (Nate Solder). And with Solder looking like he’s near the end of the line, along with the razor thin depth at linebacker and the injury issues surrounding their beloved quick-open slot receivers, there are going to be significant draft needs this spring.
Of course we all wish Garoppolo the best and it will certainly suck if Brady breaks down sooner than expected while Jimmy G is leading a resurgence in Brady’s hometown. Managing the inevitable Brady transition is a near-impossible task. There are so many unknowns the Patriots are putting their faith behind 40-year-old TB12 and his maniacal training regime.
With the corresponding release of Brian Hoyer, it would make too much sense that he’ll now return to New England to resume backup duties to Brady.
I guess Brady ride or die feels about right. Never a dull moment with Bill Belichick, eh?
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