3. The Patriots hold firm on not trading Jimmy Garoppolo?
There looks to be a possible smokescreen forming when it comes to the New England Patriots’ plans for Garoppolo.
Looks like the Patriots are trying to create leverage for a trade by getting the word out they "are not expected to trade…Garoppolo" https://t.co/1qpJ7F9ubd
— Joe Thomas (@joethomas73) March 1, 2017
Sometimes the best way to attain what you want is to use reverse psychology. Who better of an NFL head coach to pull this off than the crafty Bill Belichick? Trade rumors have been circulating surrounding the young Garoppolo since before the Super Bowl was even played.
We created a list of seven potential teams that might just be willing to give up their first-round pick to the Patriots in exchange for Garoppolo. A first-round pick was reportedly the very least ransom it would take for Belichick to move the team’s fourth-year quarterback.
But the latest reports stemming from the Patriots’ camp at the combine suggest the team has no plans for a trade. Perhaps, the Patriots just want the teams in desperate need of a quarterback to up their offers. It’s likely nothing more than a smoke screen (more on that here).
Of all the quarterback needy NFL teams, the Cleveland Browns have been the most associated with pursuing Garoppolo. They hold the first and 12th picks in the draft, the latter of which Cleveland has reportedly discussed yielding for the Pats’ backup. How glorious, yet unfair, would it be for the Super Bowl LI champions to possess yet another first-round pick?