Jimmy Garoppolo Trade Rumors: Latest News and Speculation on Patriots QB

Following an impressive, albeit brief, stint as the New England Patriots' starting quarterback earlier this season, Jimmy Garoppolo has become one of the NFL's most intriguing trade chips heading into the offseason.

Continue for updates.  

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Garoppolo Reportedly May Remain With Patriots

Thursday, Feb. 16

Ed Werder of ESPN reported that based on what he heard from "people inside" the Patriots and "those familiar with their approach," he's not expecting the Patriots to trade Garoppolo.

Jason Cole of Bleacher Report reported on Feb. 1 that the Patriots would not drag out the process of trading Garoppolo in the offseason:

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Bears Interested in Garoppolo

Thursday, Feb. 2 

Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com reported the Chicago Bears have taken an active interest in acquiring Garoppolo from the Patriots. 

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Browns Reportedly Interested in Garoppolo

Tuesday, Jan. 31

Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported the Cleveland Browns are interested in Garoppolo and may try to trade for him, depending on how their evaluations on quarterback prospects proceed. 

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Latest on Garoppolo's Value

Sunday, Jan. 22

Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported that the Patriots are willing to explore the market for Garoppolo in the offseason:

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The Patriots are open to trading Jimmy Garoppolo and they are going to listen to all offers, as they have over the last couple years for Garoppolo—and they have gotten a couple inquiries. But from what I am being told there are several complicating factors: First of all, the price tag, expected to be at least a first-round pick—just based off the quarterback market. Will anyone give them that? Second of all, are the Patriots really comfortable going forward with Jacoby Brissett as their backup quarterback in case Tom Brady gets hurt? That might be the biggest question of all.

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ESPN's Adam Schefter (h/t WEEI's Kirk and Callahan) first noted on Dec. 28 that the Patriots are starting any trade discussions for Garoppolo by asking for first- and fourth-round draft picks. That is what the Minnesota Vikings gave up to acquire Sam Bradford from the Philadelphia Eagles.

Schefter appeared on Kirk and Callahan again on Jan. 3 and stated the Patriots would get a "minimum of a first-round pick for [Garoppolo]."

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Garoppolo's Lack of Experience a Risk for Interested Teams

The Patriots hold all the cards with Garoppolo. He's still under contract with the team through next season with a cap hit of $1.1 million, per Over The Cap.

Even though Tom Brady apparently wants to play forever, he turns 40 in August. The two-time NFL MVP is under contract through 2019, which complicates things with Garoppolo in the big picture.

The 25-year-old doesn't have an extensive body of work in the NFL. He started New England's first two games this season while Brady was serving a four-game suspension and completed 71.2 percent of his attempts (42 of 59) with four touchdowns and no interceptions.

Interested teams have to decide whether Garoppolo's two-game sample size is enough to build their franchise around, especially if they have to give up at least a first- and fourth-round pick to do it.

It's no secret NFL teams will always overpay for a quarterback who has shown even a modicum of competency as a starter.

Brock Osweiler is making $37 million in guaranteed money from the Houston Texans after throwing 10 touchdowns in eight games last year, but he now finds himself behind Tom Savage on the depth chart.

Garoppolo may be a better quarterback than Osweiler—possibly even a top-tier starter if given the chance—but it's a huge assumption based on his body of work.