Browns Inquired About Jimmy Garoppolo Trade Last Night, Patriots Not Interested

Adam Schefter reports that the Browns inquired last night about trading for Patriots back QB Jimmy Garoppolo and were once again told that New England is not interested.

The Browns were expected to approach the Patriots about a potential trade for Garoppolo during the draft, so this shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, especially after they didn’t draft a quarterback in round.

Schefter has maintained for some time now that Garoppolo “isn’t going anywhere” and the teams still has no plans to trade him, despite more rumors and speculation that they could consider moving him during the draft.

Many assumed that the Patriots would make Garoppolo available this offseason to recoup a decent trade pick and move forward with former third-round pick Jacoby Brissett as their backup to Tom Brady.

However, Schefter has been clear that New England isn’t going to trade Garoppolo, even though he’s entering the final year of his rookie contract and Brady has said that he intends to play another three or four years.

Ian Rapoport also mentioned recently that New England is looking to move him, despite the fact that there could be serious interest from teams such as the Browns and Texans.

“From my understanding, the Patriots do not want to deal Jimmy Garoppolo,” Rapoport said. “They really just don’t, whether it’s to the Browns, whether it’s to the Texans. Their stance right now … is they do not want to give up someone who they consider a franchise quarterback for a pick this year.”

This sets up a situation where the Patriots may have to use their franchise tag on Garoppolo in 2018 or attempt to sign him to a new contract, which would be difficult, even with Brady playing for a below-average salary.

Garoppolo, 25, is a former second-round pick of the Patriots back in 2014. He is entering the final year of his four-year, $3,483,898 rookie contract and stands to make a base salary of $820,077 to go along with a $75,000 workout bonus for the 2017 season.

In 2016, Garoppolo completed 68.3 percent of his passes for 502 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions for the Patriots over the course of six games.

We’ll have more regarding a Garoppolo trade as the news is available.