Patriots: Could Jimmy Garoppolo return to New England after 49ers trade up?
By Jerry Trotta
The New England Patriots re-signed Cam Newton to a one-year deal this offseason, and all signs point to him being the starting quarterback. Considering what the San Francisco 49ers just pulled off, Jimmy Garoppolo might need to start looking at apartments in Massachusetts again,
Rumors suggested that the Patriots aren’t done adding to their QB room, indicating that they aren’t fully sold on Newton improving upon his underwhelming debut campaign last year and would like a serviceable backup in place in case he’s benched again.
It remains to be seen whether New England adds another veteran in free agency or selects a touted prospect in the first round of the draft next month. There’s also the possibility they keep things as is and deploy Jarrett Stidham as the backup
Whatever ends up happening, the door might’ve just opened for the Patriots to swoop in and acquire their potential quarterback of the future. In a blockbuster trade that surfaced out of the blue on Friday, the 49ers acquired the No. 3 overall pick from the Miami Dolphins.
San Francisco wouldn’t make this trade if they weren’t sold on one of the top QBs, which fuels questions about Garoppolo’s future. Though the 49ers are reportedly set on keeping Garoppolo for the duration of the season, you just get the feeling that a Patriots reunion is very much in the realm of possibility.
Filed to ESPN: Dolphins trading No. 3 overall pick to the San Francisco 49ers for the No. 12 pick, a 2021 third-round pick (SF’s comp pick for Robert Saleh hiring) and first-round picks in 2022 and 2023, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 26, 2021
Blockbuster deal with massive ramifications for years to come.
Could Jimmy Garoppolo end up back with the Patriots?
It’s worth noting that Garoppolo has a no-trade clause in his contract, but we like to think he’d waive it to return to New England, which is suddenly filled to the brim with elite offensive talent after their free agency spending spree.
On the flip side, however, the Patriots could also reunite with Garoppolo by signing him in the event that he’s released by San Francisco, which is extremely possible considering that he’ll account for just $2.8 million in dead money this season.
The former second-round pick will either have to take a steep pay cut and accept the fact that he’s keeping the seat warm for whomever the 49ers draft, or demand to be released or traded.
The 49ers have tried to establish trade leverage by stating their allegiance to Garoppolo, but nothing they’ve done this offseason suggests he has a future with them.
Taking that into account, the Patriots should plan to roll with Newton as their starter, while also keeping a sharp eye on Garoppolo’s situation. After all, assuming no team in the league is asinine enough to bail San Francisco out and trade for him, he could fall right into New England’s lap in due time.
