Jimmy Garoppolo throws a bomb for an Aaron Dobson touchdown (GIF)

Ryan Mallett might as well start packing up his locker. New England Patriots rookie quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo made it look easy. He threw a huge touchdown pass to second-year receiver Aaron Dobson in the second quarter to put New England on the board and in the lead.

He started off his game poorly, throwing an interception early in the New England’s game against the New York Giants. But he rebounded.

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Garoppolo is attempting to assure New England that he is worth of their backup quarterback spot. He got the start in this final preseason game, because the Patriots are reportedly attempting to garner interest on the trade market for current backup Ryan Mallett. Notorious for carrying only two quarterbacks, Bill Belichick is doing his best to sell Mallett for some sort of asset, as he’d rather not release a former third round pick that has value and could compete for a starting job elsewhere.

If Garoppolo can connect with Dobson on balls like this regularly, he’s a sure thing as the Pats backup. Unfortunately for Ryan Mallett, throws like this could mean the end of his stint in New England. There’s no way that Patriots will continue to pay him when Garoppolo can do just as well.