NFL Rumors: Latest Buzz on Jimmy Garoppolo, Predraft Trades and More

The 2016 NFL regular season will draw to a close on Sunday night, which for many teams means on to the offseason.

Even for the 12 teams that will be participating in the playoffs this year, the 2017 offseason is right around the corner. This naturally means trade rumors and free-agent speculation are also on the immediate horizon for all 32 franchises.

In fact, we’re already seeing a fair amount of roster speculation with a week left to go. Add in the roster decisions some teams have made late in the season, and there’s plenty of potential offseason moves to discuss—which is exactly what we’re going to do here today.

Let’s take a look at some of the most notable NFL rumors of Week 17.

Patriots Preparing to Move Jimmy Garoppolo

The New England Patriots have made a habit in recent years of developing backup quarterbacks and then trying to flip them for draft compensation. The Patriots most recently traded away Ryan Mallett during the 2014 offseason and dealt Matt Cassel for a second-round pick back in 2009.

Current backup Jimmy Garoppolo, a second-round pick back in 2014, has become the latest source of trade speculation for the Patriots.

NFL Media’s Chris Wesseling recently proposed the idea that the Patriots’ activation of quarterback Jacoby Brissett from injured reserve is part of a plan to move Garoppolo prior to next year’s draft.

“Activating Brissett suggests the team’s decision-makers want him to get as much practice as possible in case a Garoppolo trade thrusts him into the backup role next season,” Wesseling wrote.

There certainly could be some truth to what Wesseling suggested. At least, there has to be a reason for the Patriots to activate Brissett now, since he will take up a roster spot throughout the offseason.

Of course, using Brissett for trick plays and sub-packages is also another possibility.

It is unlikely that the Patriots will be looking at a shortage of trade offers for Garoppolo in the offseason, though. In addition to his status as a former second-round pick, the former Eastern Illinois standout played extremely well before injury early in the season.

Garoppolo passed for 502 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions in wins over the Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins. Pro Football Focus still rates him 21st among all quarterbacks for the season.

NFL Media’s Gregg Rosenthal lists Garoppolo as his top trade candidate among quarterbacks for the 2017 offseason.

Should the Patriots receive a first-round offer for Garoppolo, don’t be surprised if they pull the trigger.

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