Thinking back to 2014, the vibe in Foxborough was... interesting. The Patriots had just spent a second-round pick on a kid from Eastern Illinois. Jimmy Garoppolo. Most fans were like, "Wait, we still have Tom Brady, right?" Brady was 37. People thought he was reaching the end. Little did they know he had another decade of dominance in the tank.
That draft pick changed everything. It started a cold war in the building that eventually forced Robert Kraft to pick a side. Honestly, the Jimmy Garoppolo New England Patriots era is one of the biggest "what ifs" in NFL history. It’s not just about the stats. It’s about the power struggle between the greatest coach ever and the greatest quarterback ever.
The Night the Plan Changed
Bill Belichick doesn't usually tip his hand. But when he took Garoppolo at 62nd overall, it was a loud statement. He was looking for the exit strategy. He wanted a "seamless" transition. That's a word he actually used later.
Jimmy sat for two years. He watched. He learned. Then came 2016 and the whole Deflategate mess. Brady was out for four games. This was Jimmy’s moment.
He didn't just play well. He looked like a clone of Brady. Against Arizona in the opener, he was surgical. 24 of 33 for 264 yards and a win. Then came the Miami game. He threw three touchdowns in less than two quarters. He was lighting them up. And then, Kiko Alonso happened. A hit to the shoulder, a sprained AC joint, and suddenly the "new era" was on ice.
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It's funny how a single hit can change the trajectory of two franchises.
Why the Patriots Actually Traded Him
By 2017, the situation was untenable. Garoppolo was going to be a free agent. He wanted to start. He knew he was good. Meanwhile, Tom Brady was playing like he was 25 and winning Super Bowls.
You can't pay two quarterbacks starter money. Especially back then.
The rumors at the time were wild. Some said Brady went to Kraft to demand Jimmy be moved. Others said Belichick was heartbroken to let him go. On October 31, 2017—Halloween, of all days—the news broke. Jimmy was headed to the San Francisco 49ers for a second-round pick.
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Wait. Just a second-rounder?
The Cleveland Browns were reportedly offering multiple first-rounders. But Belichick sent him to Kyle Shanahan. It felt like a "favor" to Jimmy. Bill wanted him in a good system where he could succeed. It was the ultimate respect move from a coach who rarely shows emotion.
The Lingering "What If" in Foxborough
Look at the Patriots now. Or even a few years ago when they were cycling through Cam Newton and Mac Jones. You can't help but wonder. If they had kept Jimmy, would the post-Brady era have been less painful?
Probably. But you also lose those extra years of Brady.
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Jimmy went on to lead the Niners to a Super Bowl. He had a 135.4 passer rating during his brief 2016 stint in New England. He was the "Prince Who Was Promised" but never got the crown.
Now it's 2026. Jimmy is 34. He’s backing up Matthew Stafford with the Rams, basically playing the veteran mentor role. It’s a full circle moment. He’s the guy helping the next generation, just like he was supposed to be the guy replacing the GOAT.
Actionable Insights for Patriots Fans and Analysts
If you're still debating this trade at the bar, here is the factual ammunition you need:
- The Price Point: New England got the 43rd overall pick in 2018 for him. They eventually used parts of that trade chain to get Duke Dawson and Joejuan Williams. Not exactly a home run.
- The Brady Factor: Keeping Jimmy would have meant franchise tagging him for roughly $23 million in 2018. The Patriots didn't have the cap space to do that while keeping the championship roster around Brady.
- The Relationship: Don't believe the "hatred" rumors. Brady called Jimmy a "great teammate and friend" the night of the trade. They were competitive, but professional.
- Modern Context: If you want to see what a "Patriots style" QB looks like in 2026, watch how the Dolphins might pursue him this offseason. Mike McDaniel was with him in San Francisco and knows that quick-release, middle-of-the-field accuracy is still Jimmy's bread and butter.
The Jimmy Garoppolo New England Patriots story is a reminder that in the NFL, timing is everything. You can have the right player at the wrong time, and it still ends in a trade.
To get the most out of your NFL history deep dives, focus on the "trade chains." Seeing what that 2018 second-round pick eventually turned into provides a much clearer picture of who "won" the trade than just looking at the players' stats. You should also track the coaching connections, as Garoppolo’s career moves have almost always been dictated by coaches who run the Shanahan or Belichick systems.