There were rumors and reports pretty much all summer that New England would part with backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and it never happened. However, as the Tuesday trade deadline looms, the Patriots finally pulled the trigger and got a nice return from the 49ers as ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting:
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Major QB shakeup: 49ers trading 2018 2nd-round draft pick to New England for Patriots’ QB Jimmy Garoppolo, sources tell ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 31, 2017
And it would appear that it is the 49ers' own pick rather than another that they've acquired:
49ers owned two second-round picks but the one traded for Jimmy Garoppolo is SF’s original second-round pick, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 31, 2017
49ers and Patriots began talking trade Monday morning and, by tonight, the trade was officially agreed upon. Garoppolo to San Francisco.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 31, 2017
While this is huge for Garoppolo as he will likely become the starter over C.J. Beathard in San Francicsco, it also means the Patriots are putting a lot of trust in the 40-year old Brady.
With Jimmy Garoppolo traded to SF, the Patriots now buying into the idea that Tom Brady can play well into his 40’s.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 31, 2017
Garoppolo appeared in six games last year and started two while Tom Brady served his suspension from the "Inflate Gate" scandal. He recorded two wins as a starter last season and four touchdowns against no interceptions.