Report: Patriots' Ryan Mallett is a legitimate starting QB

Ryan Mallett was the subject of trade rumors leading up to the 2014 NFL Draft this past May, but the New England Patriots elected to keep the former third round pick to back up Tom Brady and that move could be another stroke of genius by Bill Belichick.

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After the Patriots spend a second round pick on former Eastern Illinois quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in the draft, the future of Mallett in New England became a bit murky, but during Monday’s scrimmage Mallett put on a show and should convince the Patriots he is a starter in this league and NFL Media Analyst Mike Mayock echoed those sentiments.

"“I was blown away today. I saw a legitimate NFL starting quarterback today backing up Tom Brady,” Mayock said after Monday’s scrimmage versus the Redskins. “So as the season progresses and we get closer to draft time and what the Patriots can or can’t do with him, I think they drafted Jimmy Garoppolo for a reason, as an insurance policy. But trust me, Ryan Mallett’s a starting quarterback in this league, and he popped today.”"

If Tom Brady should get inured and have to miss action this season, the Patriots will be thankful they didn’t move Mallett in the offseason, the Houston Texans were reportedly interested, as they have capable backup who could be dealt at a later date and time if Garoppolo develops with more seasoning.

Knowing when to get rid of a player and when to keep them a little longer is part of what makes Belichick such a genius and it looks like the decision to keep Mallett around for this year is the latest genius move from the three-time Super Bowl winning head coach.

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Report: Patriots’ Ryan Mallett is a legitimate starting QB

By Patrick Schmidt | Aug 4, 2014