The Browns have been adamant that if they find their quarterback of the future, they'll be willing to pay whatever it takes to land him. (Whatever it takes as long as it's not the No. 1 overall pick.)
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The Patriots, meanwhile, have not given anyone any indications that they're looking to shop backup Jimmy Garoppolo. In fact, the reports that have surfaced about Tom Brady's No. 2 have been that the Patriots are willing to turn their nose up at the most exorbitant of hauls -- four first-round picks, per ESPN -- in order to make sure they have insurance at the most position on the roster.
That's why the Browns, if they ever had designs on landing Garoppolo, are starting to give up on the idea of being able to land him.
"The Browns may make a late run at Garoppolo," NFL Media's Ian Rapoport said recently. "But they do not seem to believe there's any hope there."
There are some time restraints on when the Browns want to make a move for a quarterback. Per coach Hue Jackson, there's about a year's worth of sand left in the hourglass. This offseason or next, they want their guy.
New England Patriots
Garoppolo may be the best available this offseason, but there's still time for Cleveland's brass to talk itself into one of this year's rookies. They could also wait until next offseason, when they figure to be drafting early in Round 1 once again, when the quarterback class is considered to be much stronger.
At the very least the pursuit of Garoppolo, because of the price tag that would come with him even if he is available, seems to be on hold.
"From my understanding, the Patriots do not want to deal Jimmy Garoppolo," Rapoport said. "They really just don’t, whether it’s to the Browns, whether it’s to the Texans. Their stance right now . . . is they do not want to give up someone who they consider a franchise quarterback for a pick this year."
The Texans would be an interesting buyer because they seem to be a quarterback away from contending for a Super Bowl. That may make them willing to pay whatever it would take to pry Garoppolo from New England . . . but it also might be the reason why the Patriots would refuse to entertain such a deal.
Predictions about Garoppolo's future won't cease until he either signs an extension -- 2017 is the final year of his rookie contract -- or lands with another club, but for now it appears as though the Patriots are planning to go into next season with him on their sidelines.