When Tom Brady was suspended for the first four games of the 2016 NFL season, Jimmy Garoppolo was a starter for the New England Patriots, and he didn't disappoint. In his first game as a starter last year against the Cardinals, he threw for 264 yards and a TD while completing 24 of his 33 pass attempts. In week two against the Dolphins, he threw for 232 yards and three TDs before getting injured in the second quarter. Garoppolo played very well in those games and showed that he has what it takes to be a franchise QB in the NFL. There have been many rumors of his departure from New England, it was once reported that the Cleveland Browns were very interested in trading for him.
Jimmy Garoppolo will become an unrestricted free agent
After his current contract with the Patriots expires, Garoppolo will become an unrestricted free agent after 2017 and free to sign with any team he wants to. Tom Brady is aging, and he won't be able to play forever, and the Patriots need to think about the future. They have young receivers, Gronk is only 28 years old, and Bill Belichick can coach for many more years, so the only position they have to secure for the future is quarterback. Since they traded Jacoby Brissett to the Colts before the season started, it seems that Jimmy Garoppolo is their future at the QB position. Many teams drafted their future QB in the last year's draft, so it seems that staying in New England is the best option for Garoppolo.
Adam Schefter thinks that Jimmy Garropolo will stay with the Patriots
An ESPN Insider and one of the most informed people in the world when it comes to the NFL, Adam Schefter, said that he doesn't think Jimmy Garoppolo will leave New England in the free agency next offseason. While visiting the WEEI's Kirk and Callahan show on Friday, Schefter stated that he thinks that the Patriots and Garoppolo will find a way to work out a deal that works for both sides.
He said that money is not the issue because the Patriots have enough cap room to give him the money he wants and that both sides want to make a deal. He concluded that he doesn't have the information if the talk about Garoppolo's contract has started, but that he knows the Patriots and Garoppolo want to make a long-term deal.
Jimmy Garoppolo has been a valuable part of the New England Patriots, but he wants to be a starter as soon as possible. Garoppolo knows Bill Belichick's system really well, and if the Patriots manage to make a long-term deal with him, it seems that they won't have to worry about life after Tom Brady.
