All quiet in Foxboro
Garoppolo chatter not finished yet
The Malcolm Butler trade speculation can probably be tabled, but the Browns might not have shut the door on their hot pursuit of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
Ohio State cornerback Marshon Lattimore, considered the best of his position in the draft, surprisingly fell to the Saints last night in the opening round. So after a passionate courtship of Butler in restricted free agency, even agreeing to a contract worth north of $50 million that was contingent on a trade, it seems highly unlikely the Saints — who also have a No. 1 cornerback in Delvin Breaux — would continue to beg for Butler.
The Browns, meanwhile, stoked the Garoppolo fire with their early moves. They nabbed pass rusher Myles Garrett with the No. 1 pick, but lost out on quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, who went second to the Bears. And instead of drafting quarterback Deshaun Watson at No. 12, the Browns traded down with the Texans, who took the Clemson national champion.
In the process, the Browns continued to stockpile draft assets that could conceivably be wheeled for Garoppolo. They’ve got one second-round pick tonight and two next year, and they’ve also got two first-rounders next year thanks to the swap with the Texans.
The Patriots didn’t have a firstround pick last night, so their only sliver of drama surrounded the fate of Garoppolo and Butler. The Pats’ low-key draft weekend will continue tonight; they don’t have a second-round pick before they’re scheduled to select twice in the third round (Nos. 72 and 96). They’ve got four picks tomorrow: a fourth-rounder (No. 131), fifth-rounder (No. 183), sixth-rounder (No. 200) and seventh-rounder (No. 239).
The Browns longed for Garoppolo this offseason, but they never offered enough to make the Patriots seriously consider relinquishing their backup quarterback. And though they’d never admit as much, it’s worth wondering if the Trubisky leaks the past week were ever loosely designed to get the Patriots to move on a potential trade. Even if it was a longshot, it never hurts to create a little urgency before a deadline.
It’s unclear what the Patriots might still want from the Browns, who have been interested in Garoppolo since February. It’s also unclear how much the Browns were willing to fork over, but whatever the case, it doesn’t appear the two sides were ever close. That notion was enhanced when the Browns used the 25th pick on Michigan safety Jabrill Peppers rather than striking a trade in the 11th hour.
Garoppolo is entering the final year of his rookie contract. There’s a real possibility the Patriots will sacrifice draft compensation down the line if they don’t actually unload him this weekend, but Bill Belichick and company would prefer to keep Garoppolo in 2017 to ensure their peace of mind. Belichick doesn’t want to be stuck if Tom Brady resembles a 40-year-old quarterback next season, or goes down for a stretch and Jacoby Brissett can’t help the Pats stay afloat before his return.
Barring a trade, the Patriots have two options next winter. They can let Garoppolo walk and hope to recoup a third-round compensatory pick in the 2019 draft, or they can place the franchise tag on him — projected at $22 million — before trading him to the highest bidder. It’s unrealistic to believe Garoppolo would sign an extension to continue working as a backup, particularly when Brady hasn’t been shy about his desire to play another 6-7 seasons.
But of course, a quiet night at the draft won’t completely squash the speculation that has engulfed Garoppolo for a sizable chunk of his three-year Patriots career. If another quarterback suffers a catastrophic injury during the offseason workout program or training camp, Garoppolo will be in vogue again.
And don’t forget the 49ers, who essentially positioned themselves to pursue Garoppolo in 2018 when they signed Brian Hoyer as a stopgap this offseason. If Hoyer falls flat in camp, maybe the Bears — even after signing Trubisky — will accelerate their desire to reel in Garoppolo.
The Patriots were exploring the backup quarterback market prior to free agency, a sign of due diligence in the event of a Garoppolo trade, so that scenario has been on their minds. Plus, director of player personnel Nick Caserio was pointedly asked last week if Garoppolo was strictly not for sale, and he refused to shoot down that possibility.
As for Butler, money matters. Ask Lawyer Milloy, Logan Mankins and Jamie Collins, who were cut or traded in surprising fashion for monetary reasons. The list extends beyond that trio, too.
The Patriots may very well not trade Garoppolo or Butler, but last night wasn’t a form of closure. It was just a temporary remedy to the madness.