Patriots Will Listen To Trade Offers For QB Jimmy Garoppolo, But No Guarantee He’ll Be Moved

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reported Sunday that the Patriots will listen to trade offers for QB Jimmy Garoppolo but there’s no guarantee he’ll be traded to the top bidder.

“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,” Rapoport said. “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.”

Adam Schefter of ESPN (NFLTR) previously mentioned that the starting point for a potential Garoppolo trade would likely consist of a first- and a fourth-round pick, which is what the Eagles got for Sam Bradford from the Vikings at the start of the season.

Last week, Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com suggested that that the Texans may attempt to trade for Garoppolo during the to offseason as a long-term option at quarterback after Brock Osweiler struggled this season.

Breer points out that acquiring Garoppolo, who is still playing out his rookie contract, would mitigate the cap issues that come from Osweiler’s contract. Breer adds that Houston could always use their franchise tag on Garoppolo in 2018 after he plays out the final year of his rookie deal.

Because the Texans guaranteed $37 million of his Osweiler’s upon signing him as a free agent last offseason, it’s unlikely they’re going to be able to move on from him after one year.

Garoppolo, 25, is a former second-round pick of the Patriots back in 2014. He’s currently in the third year of his four-year, $3,483,898 rookie contract and stands to make a base salary of $686,718 for the 2016 season.

Next year, Garoppolo has a base salary of $820,077 to go along with a $75,000 workout bonus.

In 2016, Garoppolo has 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 potential Garoppolo trade as the news is available.