When the New England Patriots signed QB Cam Newton to a 1-year deal, many thought that ended the pursuit of Jimmy Garoppolo.
But, there are no guarantees that Newton will be the starter in 2021.
Cam Newton signs a one year deal with the Patriots. pic.twitter.com/TlnWaGQrOW
— Drew MacKinnon (@drew_mackinnon) March 12, 2021
According to NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, the Patriots may still plan to make a run at acquiring Jimmy Garoppolo.
“(Cam’s) a nice insurance policy. Bill Belichick likes working with him a great deal,” Fowler said Sunday on ESPN’s SportsCenter. “It gives them some credibility for free agents they might want to sign but Jimmy Garoppolo is still out there. I’ve spoken to enough people around the league that said it just makes too much sense for them to at least try to re-unite.
“I’ve been told by a source that the 49ers have not been overly eager to trade Garoppolo yet, there hasn’t been much traction there yet. But maybe the Patriots can change their mind.”
Jimmy Garoppolo would make a lot of sense for the Patriots as he spent the first 4-years of his career there.
“What do I know as fact? Like, what do I know cold? And it’s that they love Jimmy.”
–ESPN Patriots reporter Mike Reiss on the possibility of New England pursuing a Jimmy Garoppolo trade pic.twitter.com/9qbolf4BBs
— KNBR (@KNBR) March 10, 2021
He was considered to be the heir to Tom Brady for many years while in New England before being traded to San Francisco.
Garoppolo, now 29, has had a history of injuries while with the 49ers.
Cam Newton’s current contract with the Patriots is only $5 million base pay, but there is a $9 million incentive package that is premised on him being the starter.
Knowing Belichick, there is a pretty good chance we won’t know who will be the starter in New England until Week 1 of the season.
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