It’s crazy to think that we already had a blockbuster trade this “offseason” with the Super Bowl still left to play, but you won’t find content-needy football fans complaining.
The same, however, couldn’t be said for the Patriots’ spoiled fan base when it found out that trade target Matthew Stafford came off the board this weekend, but those tensions simmered a bit when the details of the deal were revealed.
According to reports, the Rams gave up Jared Goff, two first-round picks (!) and a third-rounder in return fo the 32-year-old quarterback. The Patriots were simply never going to give up that much for a player who’s never won on the big stage and is only under contract for two more seasons, meaning that they’re still in the market for a starter.
There’s been growing speculation that they could reunite with Jimmy Garoppolo if the 49ers decided to move on from him this offseason, and we initially didn’t hate the idea. However, the latest update on his trade market indicates that the Patriots would be better off drafting one of the top prospects in this year’s loaded class.
Quick-hit thoughts/notes around the Patriots and NFL (Jimmy G projects as best fit as offseason of QB movement begins with Stafford trade; what makes No. 15 pick a key spot; DMac says don't forget about Cam; Russ Hochstein flattered by Scar's remarks etc.) https://t.co/GAnYHsEJxg
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) January 31, 2021
The latest update on Jimmy Garoppolo suggests that the Patriots would be better off drafting a quarterback
Per ESPN reporter Mike Reiss, the 49ers are still debating whether they’ll make Garoppolo available and they probably wouldn’t consider unloading him unless they were blown away by somebody’s offer. We would all agree that the former Patriots quarterback isn’t worth a first-rounder, but this insight implies that San Francisco wouldn’t budge unless that was offered.
At that point, the Patriots would be better off using the No. 15 overall pick — or potentially a second-rounder if they’re confident someone like Jamie Newman could fall that far — on a quarterback. If the 49ers, who reportedly didn’t even submit an offer for Stafford, were feeling audacious, they could even drive up their asking price to multiple picks.
That would obviously remove a first-rounder from consideration, but even that would be too much considering lengthy Garoppolo’s injury history since he was traded to the west coast in addition to his bloated contract. Not only that, but the Patriots have far too many roster holes to even consider giving up draft capital for anybody who wouldn’t be a clear cut home run addition at the position.
Peep this from Breer. Good details on Matthew Stafford. Also, #49ers fans who have asked me here and elsewhere about what I said on @gmfb Weekend, what Bert says here is in line with all of that: Lukewarm interest in Stafford, no official offer, comfortable with Jimmy Garoppolo. https://t.co/EfNcF24jOK
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 1, 2021
Sure, Garoppolo is familiar with the playbook and culture, but if he wasn’t performing up to par with how many weapons the 49ers have — on top of playing behind a stout offensive line — what evidence is there to suggest that he would turn it around in New England?
The Garoppolo reunion was fun to think about for a while, but this latest update on his future and supposed trade market proves that the Patriots should call an audible and turn all of their attention to the 2021 draft class, which is filled to the brim with intriguing prospects.
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