Patriots: Jimmy Garoppolo trade actually more likely next offseason?

The New England Patriots are rumored to be in the market for a quarterback in the 2021 Draft, but they might need to jump through some hoops in order to put themselves in position to select one of the top five prospects.

After all, they’re slated with the No. 15 overall pick.

By that point, each one of Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Justin Fields, Mac Jones and Trey Lance are widely expected to be off the board entirely within the first dozen selections, if not earlier.

Since it isn’t a sure thing that the Patriots will trade up multiple picks, they’ve been heavily linked (via rumors) to a reunion with Jimmy Garoppolo, who’s seemingly entering his final year with the 49ers, assuming he isn’t traded before then, of course.

In his latest mailbag column for NESN, reporter Zack Cox analyzed the Patriots’ plan at quarterback in the event that they don’t draft one in the first round this month.

As expected, he touched on the prospect of New England circling back to Garoppolo next offseason, when he will most definitely be on the trade block … and for a much more attractive price.

The Patriots reuniting with Jimmy Garoppolo is far more likely next offseason.

Here’s what Cox had to say about why the Patriots, assuming they fail to acquire their quarterback of the future in the 2021 draft, pursuing a reunion with their former second-round pick would make more sense next offseason.

"“At the moment, the Niners don’t have much motivation to trade Garoppolo for anything less than a primo return, but that would change if Teddy Bridgewater — now a lame duck in Carolina — winds up in San Francisco. The 49ers also could lower their asking price for the former New England backup if their rookie wows them in training camp.”"

Cox brings up what most fans have been stressing since the Garoppolo rumors were first unearthed after San Francisco moved up nine spots in the draft to the No. 3 overall pick in a blockbuster trade with the Dolphins: there’s no reason for the Patriots to overplay their hand.

We would argue that the 49ers lost all their trade leverage over Garoppolo as soon as they orchestrated that deal, but the fact that his value could plummet even lower next offseason further proves that New England should wait it out.

Though it didn’t take nearly as long, that’s precisely what Indianapolis did to Philadelphia in the Carson Wentz trade earlier this offseason. The Eagles were reportedly demanding multiple first-round picks for their former No. 2 overall pick and the Colts called their bluff and were ultimately able to acquire him this offseason for a 2021 third-rounder and a conditional second-rounder in 2022.

Garoppolo’s value will continue to drop as time passes, especially if whomever the 49ers nab with the third overall pick hits the ground running as a rookie. With that in mind, it would behoove the Patriots to stand their ground and revisit a potential reunion next offseason if they’re unable to trade up and draft a quarterback, or if Cam Newton doesn’t work out this year.

Patriots: 49ers’ reported asking price for Jimmy Garoppolo will make you pass out

The San Francisco 49ers' reported asking price for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo might make New England Patriots fans faint.