There has been a ton of speculation involving Chicago and a possible trade for New England's backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. The ties between Garoppolo and the Bears are plentiful including growing up in Illinois and playing for the same college football team as general manager Ryan Pace, go Panthers.
Last week an asking price for the 25 year-old was leaked from the New England area and it was rumored to include a first-round pick.
https://twitter.com/PriscoCBS/status/814099634192863232
Most analysts immediately refuted that report saying they wouldn't give up anything more than a 2017 second-round choice for Garoppolo. Those analysts included former NFL talent evaluator Greg Gabriel, instead he came up with another plan for the first-round pick.
Considering his complete body of work in the NFL so far and Bill Belichick's keen eye for talent, it's hard to put a price tag on Garoppolo's potential. None of the New England quarterbacks traded by Belichick have done anything significant with their new teams, why would Garoppolo be any different?
Gabriel appears on Chicago radio quite often to share his in-depth analysis on the Bears and his recent article published by CBS proposed a fascinating trade proposal that is considered a win-win for both teams involved. It also includes the first-round pick New England wants.
Here's what Gabriel wrote:
"I would give up a pick in the 2017 draft but not more than a third-rounder. In that situation, I would also include a pick in the 2018 draft that would have the performance clauses attached to it.
If Garoppolo puts up good numbers and the team wins, then by all means give up that 2018 first-rounder. He obviously was worth it. But if he ends up being just an ordinary player, then the pick that is conveyed must be much lower — perhaps another third-rounder or fourth-rounder. Such an approach has the potential to be a win-win for both teams and the team trading for Garoppolo protects itself and its future."
That is incredibly enticing. Think about it for a moment.
The Bears wouldn't have to give up their first-round pick this year, and they would only have to do it next year if Garoppolo outperforms suggested clauses in his contract. Those clauses could include a Pro Bowl selection, a division title and/or a playoff appearance, all scenarios that would make sacrificing a 2018 first-round pick worth it for Chicago.
Let's say that played out.
The Bears would still get their first two, very high, choices this year. The team would also be getting Kevin White back and presumably enter 2017 fully healthy with Garoppolo at quarterback. Come next year, when it's time to pay him, the Bears wouldn't even have a first-round contract to worry about. One of the few upsides of giving up that pick, assuming they don't make another trade to get it back.
If the Bears trade for Garoppolo and he sucks, then they lose a third-rounder in 2018, potentially pay him much less next year and use their first-round pick to draft another quarterback.
The difference between those two scenarios is incredibly important, and the scouts for the Bears will have to help determine if Jimmy G's really worth it or not, but both of them present options for a starting quarterback Chicago doesn't have right now.
If the team does what Gabriel has suggested, they'd get Garoppolo for a performance based price and keep themselves in a position to have a fallout plan. It would also, assuming it works out, give the Patriots the first-round pick they want.
Makes a lot of sense... if the Patriots are really going to trade him.
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