The financial details of the Patriots’ new deal Cam Newton make it clear that New England leaves its options open regarding the quarterback position, and the Jimmy Garoppolo rumblings persist. In a recent appearance on the PFT PM podcast, NBC Sports Boston’s Tom Curran said a New England-Garoppolo reunion remains possible even after the Newton re-up (via Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk).
Of course, the 49ers should be making Garoppolo available through commerce, and that situation is a bit murky. GM of San Francisco John Lynch said last month that he had no doubts that Garoppolo would be his starting QB in 2021, but just a few days later, a report emerged indicating that Jimmy G was still on the trading bloc.
According to Florio, the Niners keep looking for an upgrade, and when they find one, Garoppolo is ready to be treated. While he should forgo his no-trade clause, that probably wouldn’t be an issue if San Francisco is bringing in or planning to bring in a player who could threaten his runway.
As ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss points out, getting a legit quarterback under contract was key for the Patriots opening a free agency this week. While there are many who believe that Newton is simply not a viable starter anymore, he is still a beloved figure among the players, and the Pats – who have one of the most salary caps in the league – believe they are active players on the market. The club is tied to some of the best receivers and tight ends available, and those players probably wouldn’t even consider Foxborough as Jarrett Stidham was the only passer-by on the selection. So while the Newton deal doesn’t guarantee him anything, it had to be done.
Newton for his part expects to take a big step forward in 2021 if he gets the chance. He recently posted a hype video on Instagram promising to be back next season, and depending on how things shake up in the free agency and concept, he might get that chance. If nothing else, the fact that the Pats brought him back suggests that the team believes he could be more like his old self with a better collection of weapons around him.
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