Five quarterbacks Patriots must consider in Jimmy Garoppolo’s absence

New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo suffered what looked to be a potentially serious shoulder injury on Sunday.

Thankfully for Patriots fans, he did not break any bones, but there is still concern that Garoppolo might have sprained his AC joint — long-term injury.

The injury came after the third-year quarterback had thrown three first half touchdowns against the Miami Dolphins. It also came with Tom Brady still suspended for the next two games.

This left New England to rely on rookie third-round pick Jacoby Brissett to hold down the fort at quarterback.

Should Garoppolo be out for an extended period of time, that would leave the Patriots extremely thin at quarterback. After all, Julian Edelman is currently the Pats’ backup with Brady suspended and Garoppolo injured.

Here’s a look at five quarterbacks the Patriots now must consider. It’s not only looking at the next two weeks, but preparing for the possibility that the team might need an experienced backup behind Brady once he returns.

Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers

It might seem to be a bit ridiculous that New England might add a player of Kaepernick’s ilk. Here’s a guy that would take away from the coverage of the team from an on-field perspective.

After all, his national anthem protest has been the NFL’s top story during the early part of the season (more on that here).

That’s until we realize Kaepernick might actually be the best on-field option for the Patriots. He has starting experience. He’s had success in the past. And he could be helped out by the veteran presence on the Patrots’ roster right now.

In San Francisco, there also appears to be a rift between the front office and Chip Kelly. While the first-year head coach has continued to back Kaepernick, the powers to be within the organization reportedly want to move on from him.

With Blaine Gabbert acting as the team’s starter and Christian Ponder earning a spot on the 53-man roster, San Francisco could easily move Kaepernick for pennies on the dollar. If so, the Patriots could pounce quickly.

Michael Vick, free agent

We know Vick still wants to play and believes he can contribute, even at his advanced age. We also know that teams aren’t necessarily knocking down the door to sign him.

Bringing in Vick would be the complete antithesis of trading for Kaepernick. It wouldn’t cost any assets and would come at a cheap financial price.

Though, there’s also some baggage here. How would fans in New England react to their “classy” organization bringing in someone who has spent time in prison? Is it something the team would even consider after the entire Aaron Hernandez debacle?

Much like Kaepernick, this veteran would add experience behind Brady should Garoppolo find himself sidelined for an extended period. Unlike Kaepernick, he wouldn’t be bringing as much recent baggage.

Chase Daniel, Philadelphia Eagles

This seems to make the most sense. Daniel lost the starting job in Philly to rookie Carson Wentz. He’s also being paid top-end backup money in his first year with the Eagles.

Could Philadelphia look to continue picking up assets it lost after trading up to No. 2 overall for Wentz during the spring? We’ve seen the team make multiple moves over the past several weeks to do just that (more on that here).

An ultimate game manager, Daniel could come in and hold down the fort until Brady returns from suspension. It might require a watered-down playbook, but we know very well that offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels can work with that. He’s done so in the past, both in Denver and in New England.

Matt Cassel, Tennessee Titans

If the Patriots want to bring in someone that can come in immediately and run the offense, Cassel could be their guy. Here’s a veteran that served as the team’s starter when Brady went down with a season-ending injury back in 2008.

It’s the same offense under McDaniels, a clear sign that Cassel might be able to have success out of the gate.

He’d also be the prime veteran backup behind Brady. That’s the biggest key here. Not just thinking over the next two weeks, but down the line this season if Garoppolo’s injury is severe.

If the Tennessee Titans were willing to move Cassel for a late-round pick, this is something that could come together relatively quickly.

Josh Freeman, free agent

Freeman has not seen regular season action on a consistent basis since 2012. Though, he did start for the Indianapolis Colts as they were playing out the string late last season.

It’s one of those moves you make with the short term clearly in mind. If Garoppolo is out for an extended period of time, the Patriots are going to need an experienced backup behind Brady to begin with.

After all, Jacoby Brissett can’t be considered someone the team can rely on should Brady himself go down to injury.

It’s in this that adding someone with starting experience would make more sense for the Patriots. In Freeman, they’d be adding a former Pro Bowler while not having to give up any assets.

Should Brady remain healthy, all this would do is give the Patriots a bench warmer ahead of Brissett on the depth chart. It would also come cheap at the veteran minimum.