Patriots have been calling about QB trade targets throughout NFL

The Patriots’ search for their next starting quarterback could still end with a trade – even a big one.

As reported by Pats insider Jeff Howe of The Athletic, the Patriots “have had conversations regarding every potential trade target in the league” at quarterback so far in the 2021 offseason. They reportedly talked to both the Lions and Eagles about Matthew Stafford and Carson Wentz.

Both of those trades have driven the prices so high that it’s given pause to teams throughout the league, according to Howe. That would explain the sudden silence on the QB market recently, after Stafford felt like the first of many dominoes.

The pipe dreams on the trade market remain Deshaun Watson, Russell Wilson, and Aaron Rodgers. It’s more likely the Patriots would be shopping for the likes of Jimmy Garoppolo or Marcus Mariota. The Jets’ Sam Darnold is also a popular trade candidate with New York sitting at No. 2 in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Howe also spoke with 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Toucher and Rich this week. Listen to the full interview below.

Follow the New England Patriots and the National Football League at 985TheSportsHub.com.

MORE: Potential Trades For 2021 Patriots

• 15th overall pick for Michael Thomas (Saints)

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  Appearing on NBC Sports Boston last month, Albert Breer suggested that Saints star receiver Michael Thomas could be had for the price of a second or third round pick. That price is probably a bit low, but it’s not as unrealistic as you’d think. New Orleans is projected to be a whopping $80 million under the salary cap, and will need to take extreme measures to right their roster. Similar to the Brandin Cooks trade from a few years ago, the Patriots could potentially take advantage of a cash-strapped team, and buy low on a talented wide receiver - which they desperately need.

• Stephon Gilmore for the 29th overall pick (Packers)

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  Perhaps the most successful trade in the NFL in the last 10 years was last season’s Stefon Diggs trade, which saw the Vikings move an experienced player in order to open up cap space, and get younger at the position without a massive talent drop off. Could the Patriots do the same thing with Stephon Gilmore, who needs a new contract? As was made painfully obvious in the NFC Championship Game, the Packers need to get star cornerback Jaire Alexander a running mate on the other side of the formation, so they could be a likely trade partner. Send Gilmore to Green Bay, who can use him to capitalize on Aaron Rodgers’ closing window, and use the 29th pick to add a younger corner (Asante Samuel Jr.?) with four years of team control.

• 2nd and 5th round pick for Michael Gallup (Cowboys)

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  If the Patriots don’t want to surrender their first round pick, but still want to pick up an proven NFL wide receiver, they could go after Michael Gallup in Dallas. Gallup has been a solid weapon for the Cowboys, but is entering the last year of his rookie contract. Between the deal they just gave Amari Cooper, and the one likely coming for Dak Prescott, it’s unlikely they’ll be able to re-sign Gallup, and could look to trade him instead of losing him for nothing. Because he’s only on a one-year deal, the price shouldn’t be too high.
• 4th round pick for Zach Ertz and a 6th (Eagles)

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  The Patriots don’t just need a tight end, they need an NFL-ready tight end. Unless they’re willing to invest heavily in Kyle Pitts, there’s a real chance anybody they draft has a rookie season similar to that of Devin Asiasi or Dalton Keene. So what’s the solution? Go out and get a guy who’s proven he can play in the league. Ertz was banged up in 2020, but is just a year removed from an 88 catch, 916 yard, six touchdown season. There’s a chance Philly just releases him, but selling him on signing in New England as a free agent could be tough. His contract is manageable (one year remaining with a $12 million cap hit), making it worth a Day 3 pick to make sure they get him in the building.

• 5th round pick for Marcus Mariota (Raiders)

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  Whether the Patriots draft a quarterback or not, they need a veteran presence in the QB room. If they use a first round pick on a quarterback, Mariota would be as good of a bridge option as they’ll find, who can run the offense until that player is ready. And if they want to wait another year, he does offer some upside, while bringing many of the dynamic elements the team got from Cam Newton last year. The former second overall pick is in the last year of his deal, with a cap hit of just $11 million.

MORE: Quarterback Options For 2021 Patriots

• Jimmy Garoppolo

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  Duh. Jimmy G should be at the top of everyone’s list for realistic or probable quarterback options for the Patriots - even if it means a trade. Bill Belichick should have to give up a package closer to the Carson Wentz trade than Matthew Stafford to get back his original successor for Tom Brady. Durability is an issue, but Garoppolo should remain a great fit for the Pats.

• Dak Prescott

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  It would be unprecedented if Belichick spent as much on a quarterback as he would need to for Prescott. But we’re talking about an excellent fit for the Patriots and their franchise guy for a decade, assuming he’s the same player after his ankle injury. Belichick could afford Prescott and wouldn’t need to give up draft capital, but it’s more likely the Patriots take a less expensive route.

• Derek Carr

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  It feels like forever ago when Carr was an MVP candidate as he led the Raiders to a 12-3 record with strong passing numbers. He’s been an efficient passer and would likely manage the Patriots offense well. But has he proven enough to be confident he can win? The Patriots would need to continue to improve the team around Carr to become a legitimate contender.
• QB Mitchell Trubisky

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  This is a Belichick kind of free agent. Trubisky’s stock is down after entering the NFL as the No. 2 overall pick. He hasn’t made enough plays or shown nearly enough consistency throwing the ball to emerge as a franchise quarterback. Belichick might love the challenge of making Trubisky the player he was meant to be. But if the Patriots go this route, they’d better have a good plan B.

• Marcus Mariota

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  The former Titans quarterback looked solid in his one start for the Raiders in 2020. He’s had a bit of bad luck cycling through three coaches and five (!) different offensive coordinators, so some stability could do him some good. He’d be relatively cheap to acquire. The concern with Mariota is that he may not be good enough to elevate everyone else around him, so better weapons would be imperative.

• QB Jacoby Brissett

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  Like Garoppolo, the familiarity is a big plus for Brissett. He had flashes of success as the starter for the Colts. Brissett is at least competent throwing the football, so he’d certainly be an improvement over Cam Newton. But ideally, he would be paired with a high draft pick in the QB room. It shouldn't take much to sign him, either.
• Ryan Fitzpatrick

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  Like with Brissett and others, if Fitzpatrick signs with the Patriots the ideal situation is to pair him with a rookie first-round pick. You start with Fitzpatrick, get a little FitzMagic out of him, and hopefully the kid is ready to go once Fitzpatrick goes in the tank. This type of scenario is becoming more probable as the offseason goes on.