Jimmy Garoppolo Would 'Entertain Any Possibility' Regarding Patriots Contract

Despite the fact there's no end in sight for Tom Brady, New England Patriots backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo said Tuesday he'd be open to potentially signing an extension with the team. 

"I'd entertain any possibility," Garoppolo said, per MassLive.com's Kevin Dillon. "I'm really not thinking about too much right now. There's just so much going on with OTAs and training camp is right around the corner. That's where my focus is, and we'll cross that bridge when we get there, I guess.

Garoppolo is in the final year of his current deal with the Patriots.

The Patriots opted against trading Garoppolo this offseason, which would seemingly signal their desire to keep him beyond 2017.

Nick Caserio, the team's director of player personnel, didn't tip New England's hand when discussing Garoppolo's long-term future with the franchise in April, per the Boston Herald's Jeff Howe:

"Anything that we do, we're always going to do what we think is in the best interest of our football team, and that's how we approach it. That's not going to change. Whatever you think is best for our team for 2017, for that season, then that's what we'll do. However that manifests itself, not exactly sure, but that's where the focus is, is trying to put together the best team possible for the 2017 season. However that comes about, then we'll take it as it comes."

Since they haven't traded Garoppolo by now, it's doubtful the Patriots would let him walk in free agency next year. That would leave a multiyear contract extension and the franchise tag as their only available options. The franchise tag would provide more long-term flexibility but almost certainly carry a $20-plus million salary, a notion even more difficult for New England since Brady is only set to make a $14 million base salary.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft said in March that Brady had told him he wants to play six or seven more years in the NFL. Considering Brady turns 40 in August, that may not be a realistic possibility.

Even though it would be a costly exercise, the franchise tag would arguably be New England's best route. That would protect the Patriots against Brady possibly retiring while also ensuring they retain the opportunity to flip Garoppolo for a nice return in a trade.