Jimmy Garoppolo is Patriots' 'Plan A' for QB this offseason?

Although San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan have said that Jimmy Garoppolo will remain the franchise's starting quarterback in 2021, there's at least one team hoping he'll be available for trade this offseason. 

According to Greg Bedard of The Boston Sports Journal, the New England Patriots are hoping for a reunion with the quarterback they selected in the second round of the 2014 draft. 

"From what I gather from talking to people this week, over the past week, Jimmy Garoppolo still is far and away their Plan A," Bedard said on "The Greg Bedard Patriots Podcast" earlier this week. "That, if they had to draw it up, exactly the optimal situation for the Patriots for this coming season, it's Jimmy G coming back here. And of course, that's all dependent on the 49ers doing something."

The 49ers considered moving Garoppolo last offseason but decided to stick with him. After another injury-riddled campaign in 2020, many fans in San Francisco are ready for a new quarterback. 

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson has been linked to the 49ers this offseason, but Nick Caserio and Cal McNair have no plans to trade the three-time Pro Bowler. The 49ers could also draft a quarterback, but they'll likely have to move up in the draft in order to do so. 

Right now, it appears Garoppolo will stay put. But if things change, it certainly sounds like Bill Belichick will be giving the 49ers a call for his former quarterback.