Patriots Trade Rumors: Jimmy Garoppolo Reportedly Not Expected to Be Moved

The New England Patriots aren't expected to trade backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo this offseason, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported on March 1.

"Jimmy Garoppolo is going to be on the Patriots in 2017 no matter who calls them and what anybody offers," Schefter said during an appearance on the Ordway, Merloni, and Fauria radio show, via Ryan Hannable of WEEI.

On Tuesday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported the Patriots would likely need a 1st-round draft pick in 2017 and 2018 for the Patriots to consider moving Garoppolo, per Marc Sessler of NFL.com.

Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald would be surprised, however, if the team didn't at least field offers for his services:

Pete Prisco of CBS Sports believes the Patriots are simply utilizing a negotiating tactic: 

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network noted on March 1 that the Patriots "would not be thrilled" if they had to play Jacoby Brissett were Tom Brady to suffer an injury.

Garoppolo, 25, would certainly be an intriguing target for teams in need of a quarterback. He was forced to step into the starting role for the Patriots this season due to Brady's suspension and played well, throwing for 496 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions in the first two games of the season before a right shoulder injury forced him out of action.

But he also has value for the Patriots as a backup. Brady will be 40 by the start of the 2017 season, and while he's shown no indication of slowing down, there will come a point when his body no longer responds or recovers from the weekly abuse an NFL player suffers.

Garoppolo is the organization's insurance policy in that regard, and Mark Dominik of ESPN doesn't think his value should be overlooked:

Still, Garoppolo is entering the final year of his contract and is set to hit unrestricted free agency next year. If Brady continues to thrive in 2017 and intends to play for a few more seasons, Garoppolo would likely seek a starting job on the free-agent market next offseason. This year, then, offers the Patriots the opportunity to get something in return for the young quarterback.

The Patriots may value Garoppolo as the present backup and future starter, but if they are blown away with an offer for his services, it's hard to imagine the team turning it down and risking the possibility of losing him for nothing a year from now.