JIMMY G TRADED TO THE 49ERS AND THE SKY ISNT FALLING

Well, it finally happened. The New England Patriots have traded Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Adam Schefter reports that the Patriots backup has been traded to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2018 second round pick.

Initial reaction: I’m upset. The Patriots drafted the Eastern Illinois QB in the 2^nd round (62 overall) in the 2014 NFL Draft. When Willie McGuinest announced the pick, I, like other Pats fans, was surprised—drafting a QB in the second round? When Brady still has a good 3-5 years left? It was puzzling. That is when Brady turned up the heat, playing out of his skull and winning 2 of the next 3 Super Bowls. I think Brady was pushed by The Hoodie to stay the signal caller in Foxboro, and he delivered.

Developing opinions: Where does this leave the Patriots’ offense, and the status of the quarterback position behind Brady? What if Brady and that 40 year-old body breaks down, and he has to come off for a play or two—those big hits are starting to pile up, and the offensive line’s efficiency has never been more crucial to the defending Super Bowl champions’ success than now.

In the offseason, they traded their third-string QB Jacoby Brissett—okay, not a big deal, but still, it was a puzzling move, especially since the guy they got, Philip Dorsett, didn’t play 1 snap in yesterday’s win over the LA Chargers. Now the Patriots have big issues on defense, with a potential season-ending injury to Hightower, along with draft pick Derek Rivers gone for the year, and offseason acquisition Kony Ealy getting cut back in August. This trade did not address any immediate need, but it did give the Patriots some flexibility on who to use their franchise tag next season. I tend to think they do that with Super Bowl hero and pending free agent CB Malcolm Butler until they can get a deal done.

Keep these in mind:

1. Jimmy G is a free agent after this season. He could be franchised by the 49ers and make upwards of $20 million like Washington QB Kirk Cousins is making, or he could hit the market. I tend to think San Francisco will franchise him and try to get a deal done.
2. The Patriots have been drafting and developing backup QBs for 15 years. Ryan Mallett was drafted in the third-round and never panned out in Foxboro, Matt Cassel was a seventh-round pick, and BB got a high second-round pick for him back in 2008. Brian Hoyer, recently cut by the 49ers after this Jimmy G deal, was not drafted, and all 3 of these schlubs served as Brady’s backup. I think the Patriots draft another QB in the middle rounds in the 2018 draft, and plan to either grab Jimmy in free agency in 2019 or 2020 OR develop that next guy for life after Brady.
3. I don’t have any sources to confirm this, but I will throw a hot take at you. BB made this trade knowing that Brady has a couple years left. I think Brady and BB know that TB12 is done after 2019, and Jimmy will be available. Brady and Jimmy are both represented by Don Yee, and I think the Hoodie has an understanding with both QBs and the agent that Yee come to BB before having Jimmy sign anywhere on a big offseason contract.

In Bill We Trust.

Written by David Chase