Patriots trade QB Jimmy Garoppolo to San Francisco 49ers

Another major trade has rocked the NFL, this time involving Jimmy Garoppolo

Less than one hour after the Seattle Seahawks traded for offensive lineman Duane Brown the New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers pulled off a franchise-altering trade.

San Francisco has acquired Tom Brady protege Jimmy Garoppolo from New England in exchange for a second-round pick in 2018.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter was the first to break this news Monday evening.

New England has now traded both of their young back-up quarterbacks this season, starting with sending Jacoby Brissett to Indianapolis. Now Garoppolo, with just two career starts under his belt, heads out to the Bay Area.

San Francisco clearly looked at the upcoming quarterback class in the 2018 NFL Draft and didn’t like what they saw. What was expected to be a healthy class headlined by Sam Darnold and Josh Rosen the 49ers appear likely to use their first round pick elsewhere.

General manager John Lynch now has the opportunity to trade a potential first-overall pick to the highest bidder or draft a franchise changing player. Penn State running back and Heisman favorite Saquon Barkley is the first that comes to mind.

Garoppolo will replace a fellow Big Ten quarterback, third-round pick C.J. Beathard, in San Francisco going forward. In the final year of his rookie deal, Garoppolo and the 49ers likely have a deal already in place to make him their franchise quarterback.

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Multiple reports had linked the Cleveland Browns to Garoppolo, but an offer of a second-round pick and change was not enough at the time for Bill Belichick.