Earlier in the day on Monday it was announced that rookie Jimmy Garoppolo will play most of the New England Patriots’ final preseason game on Thursday, leading many to believe that he is indeed the front runner to the backup job over Ryan Mallett. However, this decision to let Garoppolo have the keys to the Ferrari for most of the night could have serious implications on whether or not Mallett sticks around much longer.
With the trade rumors swirling around Mallett, especially with the Rams needing someone under center with Sam Bradford done for the 2014 campaign, Ian Rapoport believes that should Garoppolo open some eyes on the coaching staff with a successful, lengthy performance on Thursday night, then they’ll feel more comfortable about dealing Mallett.
The #Patriots won’t deal Ryan Mallett until they feel comfortable in Jimmy Garoppolo as a backup. Thursday will tell a lot for them.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 25, 2014
If we have learned anything about the Patriots organization throughout the years, top to bottom, it’s that they’re perfectionists. That’s why it’s no surprise that they want one final good look at their rookie before parting ways with Mallett.
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So far through the preseason, Garoppolo has been about everything they could have asked for as a rookie. All he has to do, apparently, is turn in one final good showing, and that may signal the end of the Mallett stay in New England.
The the question will turn to what the Rams can offer, if this is the signal caller that they covet.