The Browns are on track to enter this year’s draft with the first and 12th picks, two places where they could select their next starting quarterback, but their signal-caller of the future might already be in the NFL. The club has real interest in Patriots backup Jimmy Garoppolo and will attempt to swing a trade for the 25-year-old this offseason, reports Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com.
AFC champion New England, which is set under center with the 39-year-old Tom Brady, is reportedly open to moving Garoppolo in the coming months. The Patriots could request at least a first- and fourth-round pick for Garoppolo, whose rookie contract will expire after next season.
For the Browns, acquiring Garoppolo would likely mean parting with the 12th selection, where they were supposedly set to zero in on national championship-winning Clemson QB Deshaun Watson. However, Watson’s decision to skip last week’s Senior Bowl may have hurt his standing with the Browns, who specifically asked him to play.
In addition to surrendering at least one high-round draft choice for Garoppolo, the team that acquires the three-year veteran would have to award him a hefty contract extension, writes Joel Corry of CBS Sports. The likelihood is that Garoppolo would want a deal similar to the four-year, $72MM pact (including $37MM) in guarantees the Texans gave ex-Broncos backup Brock Osweiler in free agency last winter.
While signing Osweiler has blown up in the Texans’ faces, Garoppolo’s limited sample of playing time has been far more impressive than Osweiler’s was with Denver. Garoppolo began the season as New England’s starter because of Brady’s four-game Deflategate ban, and he completed 42 of 59 passes for 496 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions in wins over the Cardinals and Dolphins. The second game was Garoppolo’s last start of the year – and perhaps his Pats tenure – as he suffered a sprained AC joint on a hit from Dolphins linebacker Kiko Alonso and sat out for the remainder of Brady’s suspension.
Even though Garoppolo would likely fetch a quality return via trade this offseason, the Patriots could be inclined to keep him, observes Corry. As great as Brady is, he’ll turn 41 in 2018 – the same year in which Garoppolo is slated to become a free agent – meaning the Patriots could elect to retain the understudy to guard against the elder’s potential decline. That would mean either placing the franchise tag on Garoppolo or handing him a short-term contract worth “top backup money” (as much as $12MM per year, including incentives). It could help the Pats’ cause that their rapport with Garoppolo’s representatives at Yee & Dubin Sports is “excellent,” per Corry.
first and a fourth? waaaaay too much for him. unproven. he’s going to be the next matt cassel. hold onto your picks!
2 words: Sam Bradford.
That’s the market now thanks to the Vikings.
Completely different situations, the Vikes were in win now mode and desperate. The Browns although desperately bad have so many options all of with will probably make negligible impact because they playing for the Browns.
No one is saying the situations are the same. They don’t need to be either. The market is the market and the Vikings set it with that idiotic deal.
They might settle for less but the conversations starts at a 1st
I would even take the 33rd pick, and a 5th round pick. Is it ideal no, but think that 33rd is like a 1st rd, and the pats do more damage middle of the draft. Having 2 picks close together allows to trade up, or down (down more likely) to help get even more picks. The 2nd round is going to be a good round that has great value. Many WR, CB, DE will be available, as well as TE
I think that the Pats should trade Garropolo then sign him after the 2018 season for Brady backup!
He’s gonna want money good luck with that
Fans of every sport in New England expect the best players to come here and extreme discounts. This group of fans are the most entitled group of morons on earth.
That you would refer to anyone as a moron is ironic. I’ll wait while you look that up. Jeeeze.
It depends on a player’s motivation. Do you want cash or a legitimate shot at a ring?
Nope not true. No one comes to the Celtics, Bruins don’t get anyone coming cheap, and the Sox over pay for everyone they sign. The Pats don’t over pay and usually get the veterans that no one else wants.
*Trades the number one and number 12 for Jimmy
You can say Sam Bradford was somewhat unproven because of all the injuries but Minnesota still gave up a first for him
That was for a team that had playoff aspirations this year…desperate to find a QB that wouldn’t hurt that chance. Almost worked.
“Almost worked”
I’m assuming that’s a joke.
Why is it a joke, Vikings were favorite for division most of the season but faded…still only two games out of first? The statement was they were desperate to maintain ‘playoff contention’ Bradford gave them that chance. just didn’t pan out due to serious O-Line deficiencies.
Bradford had years of starting experience. Garoppolo has two games.
Well, to be fair, those “years of experience” only amounted to a handful of games due to injury. On the whole not a whole lot of difference in actual game experience between Bradford and Garoppolo except for a less than stellar year with the Eagles.
If they make a trade it will be the 2nd first round pick and a fifth round pick for the following year that could go up on how he plays in 2017 and I would bet that a extension will be agreed on before the season starts
The browns will end up giving the patriots our second 2nd round pick and a fourth round pick in 2018. If the patriots try and ask for a first they will get shot down real quick. Only a dumba$$ will trade a 1st round pick for a qb who was picked in the 2nd round and has only played 4 games.
Even given the small sample size, he’s at least proven something in the NFL (something that none of the QB prospects in the draft can say) and has arguably the highest floor of those players as well. If the team is really not sold on a QB in the draft (or at least at #12), and there is no other player who seems to make sense for them at that spot, might as well trade for Jimmy G.
I hear you Austin, but the Pats drafted JG in the second round. I doubt they’d trade him for another 2nd. I’d bet he’s on the Pats roster next season.
Well, Austin. I can tell you this The Green Bay Packers traded a Number 1 pick to the Atlanta Falcons in 1992 for their 3rd string quarterback. Some guy named Brett Favre. That turned out to be a pretty good deal for us dumb asses. Joking aside, it doesn’t always work that way but, you never know unless you take a chance and due your homework on a guy. We did and it worked out.
Oh please no
lol! THIS time their “franchise QB” will actually be a franchise QB. Sure he will…
Watson is reading this and jumping for joy after he declined their request to play lol.
If any team would give up a 1st for this unproven guy, it’s the Browns. A 3rd is reasonable for him. A 4th is too. This guy is totally unproven and untested. Anything more is insane.
And DeShaun Watson IS proven? In a perfect world, Garoppolo is not worth #12. When choosing between Garappolo and Watson, it’s Garoppolo hands down.
Absolutely not. In case you have been living in a cave, Watson turned down the Browns’ request that he play in the Senior Bowl.
Choosing between Watson and Garoppolo is like searching for the best vehicle in a junkyard. You’re not getting a vehicle that can do everything, so what do you want to sacrifice?
I think Watson will be a bust. Garoppolo was less of a prospect than Watson coming out, and hasn’t played much. Watson at least has youth on his side.
I would avoid both. Watson takes a pick. Garoppolo takes a pick (maybe more?) and a new contract.
Jimmy G will b good. But I highly doubt any QB can play with the lack of an Oline and 1 #2 WR (Pryor) with 1 season at the position. They need to focus on D with those first 2 picks and get a guy when they r in a position to actually compete
This ain’t gonna happen. MKC is trippin’.
There will be no deal unless jimmy g conditionally agrees to a contract extension. You don’t trade the #12 or #33 pick in the draft for a guy with one year left on his deal. If I was in jimmy’s shoes I would not allow that allure around me to expire, therefore no deal. I would rather wait a year as a backup before I get paid. No chance would I sign a long term deal with the Browns.. I am a Browns fan, full disclosure.
The Cleveland Browns are the worst franchise in any sport period.
It’s a shame for the great city of Cleveland. Browns fanbase doesn’t deserve that.
The decision making by the Browns administration is the worst in any sport, and they will be affirming this if they trade for an unprooven QB
Ok, then give me a name of a “Proven” quarterback that is available. 90% of acquired quarterbacks are unproven when they are acquired. If they are proven pro bowler, their team would never let them go.
Ok you have a point, but for how long they will have control over him?
Compared against the possibility of a rookie QB in the draft that is also unproved but will have less economical implications and more years of control.
I understand that eitherway is a gamble.
No way the Browns trade for him if there isn’t a contract extension signed before it’s finalized. Question is how much better is Jimmy over any of the incoming rookie QB crop and do the Browns think he’s the answer.
Romo
Tony Romo, Kirk Cousins, Ryan Fitzpatrick…..there’s a lot of speculation that Tyrod Taylor could be released too
Better options that any QB on the Browns’ roster who could be obtained include Kaepernick (better than RG3), Cutler, Tyrod Taylor, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Ryan Tannehill or Matt Moore, AJ McCarron, Romo, Nick Foles, Mike Glennon, Cousins, Chase Daniel to name a few. That is how bad the Browns QBs are.
To be fair, Kessler was decent when healthy. He had a bunch of bad games as well, but also looked pretty good in some games too. I wouldn’t immediately throw his name out of the competition but the Browns should at least give him another shot (even if it is just a shot to win the starter spot in training camp/preseason).
Though it may be an unfair comp but Favre was unproven when he got traded from ATL to GB. People act like Jimmy G is unproven yet he torched the Cardinals defense and a pretty good one at the time, and a Dolphins defense that ended up alright. He’s much better than bradford so the return will be higher
Yes for every unproven QB that has failed there is a success story to go along with it…it’s always going to be a gamble but as the saying goes, you’ll miss every shot you don’t take
Iam pretty sure cutler will be available in about 6 weeks
and 7 weeks, and 10 weeks, and 7 months…
First overall is pushing it…12th overall pick is something you’d have to think about because realistically he will be more game ready than any QB they would draft this year…a 2nd round pick to me is a no brainer for a team like the Browns because they get a QB who’s played and looked pretty solid…that and he’s young enough to build around…that being said, keeping him upright will be priority #1 if they do decide to trade for him
How about Kirk Cousins to the Browns ?
Bengals should see what they would give for AJ McCarren
Jimmy G will be like every other NE QB to ever come out and suck I would not give up a 7th for Jimmy G or Brady. As much as I hate the Pats Billacheat sure can make A shitty QB good but soon as they leave via trade or FA they are horrible starting with Bledsoe never really any good once he left Ne then Matt Cassell then Brian Hoyer. Hell if Brady got traded to another team he would prolly suck too without his Daddy Bill. I dunno what it is about NE and as much as I hate to say it they can make half ass players and mediocre players great
Wow! SMH…..
“if Brady got traded to another team he would prolly suck”. Hmm, I’m sure that a top 3 QB of all time would suck elsewhere. Just for reference, good sir, which team is your favorite team?
Regardless of price, quarterback is the lottery that teams have to keep playing. The reality is that no QB is a sure thing, and if the Brown’s feel that they are willing to spend the 12th overall pick to roll the dice on finding their QB then it makes sense to consider Garoppolo. As far as value return for the pick, common sense really doesn’t apply once the market gets skewed by other deals.
I think the Browns front office along with Hue Jackson will do fine. Rome wasn’t built in a day.
Neither was Pompeii
He’s proven nothing. Remember m cassell? Nothing more than a second.