A new report indicates that the Patriots aren’t trying to get quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo back from the San Francisco 49ers. But is it really just the latest use of the media to negotiate in public?

As reported on Sunday, sources are telling ESPN’s Jordan Schulz that the Patriots “are not pursuing” Garoppolo. It’s consistent with the reporting from the other side of the fence, which is that the Niners are holding onto Garoppolo for the 2021 season. Schulz mentioned factors such as the Patriots’ relative lack of cap space as of Monday ($12.6 million, per Miguel Benzan), the return of Cam Newton, and the 2021 NFL Draft being “flush with QBs” as preventing a reunion for Bill Belichick and Tom Brady’s former successor.

It’s possible that the current QB situation for both teams will hold, and if the Patriots really want to get Garoppolo back, they’ll do it in 2022 at the earliest. But we do call this The Lying Season™ for a reason. There’s little reason to believe that the messaging from both teams is no more than posturing in trade talks.

Why would the Niners want the Patriots to think they’re looking to trade Garoppolo, even though they’ve tacitly announced to the world that they’re taking the best QB available after moving up to No. 3 in the 2021 draft? Why would the Patriots want to come off desperate to bring Jimmy G back? So instead of relaying their true intentions, they’re engaging in the news cycle equivalent of two squabbling friends, sitting with their backs turned to each other, arms crossed and noses in the air.

Plans can always change, just like it did for the Patriots in 2017 after Adam Schefter insisted for months that they’re not trading Garoppolo. But we may have to wait until the first round of the draft on April 29 to see anything different from what we’ve already heard.

Until then, follow the advice of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. DTA, Don’t Trust Anybody. Especially what NFL coaches and GMs are telling reporters.

Whether the Patriots end up getting Garoppolo back or not, it would still behoove them to add someone with upside at the QB position at some point. Keep scrolling to read more about what’s left on Bill Belichick’s plate in the 2021 offseason.

• Add upside at quarterback

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  If you're reducing the conversation to just "Yeah but who's the quarterback?!" I have no use for you. Why talk about anything, then? But the quarterback position does still need to be addressed, specifically a young QB with upside. So let's get specific.
  
  Upside is most likely to come in the draft. The Patriots are rumored to be high on Ohio State's Justin Fields, but it's fair to wonder if that's just a smokescreen, and they really want Trey Lance out of North Dakota State or Mac Jones out of Alabama. If they decide they like one of the quarterbacks in the second tier of draft prospects, that would work too. If they get Jimmy Garoppolo back, there may be some remaining untapped potential there.
  
  Wherever they find it, the Patriots desperately need to take a shot at a real long-term answer at the position. Until then, accept the reality of Cam Newton as the no-upside placeholder for another season. Or pray that Jarrett Stidham unlocks something we haven't seen.

• Make a decision on N’Keal Harry

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  The trade rumors continue to swirl around Harry, a 2019 first-round pick who has failed to produce like one through two NFL seasons. Is it time for a change of scenery? Or do the Patriots think he will finally pan out now that the pressure's off him to perform like a No. 1 pass-catcher?
  
  If the Patriots decide to hold onto Harry, he's firmly in the top-4 receiver rotation. But right now the top-3 receivers in "11" personnel look like Nelson Agholor, Jakobi Meyers, and Kendrick Bourne. So the two sides may ultimately decide it's time for a change of scenery.
  
  If a trade actually happens, that would open a spot in the receiver pecking order. Even in 2020, the Patriots liked to occasionally run four-receiver sets. So if they move on from Harry, they'll add another task to their plate...

• One more receiver

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  Ideally, Julian Edelman has one more solid year in him. But it's hard to feel like they can depend on him to stay on the field, let alone produce like his vintage self at age 35. There's simply too much tread on those tires at this point.
  
  So if Harry is no longer an answer, then they need to find another. There are still some intriguing names out there who can be had cheaply. They reportedly tried to sign Adam Humphries two offseasons ago before he signed with the Titans. Humphries flamed out in Tennessee, so now might be the time where Belichick would strike. Other names that could fit in New England are Golden Tate, Marquise Goodwin, and Willie Snead. If not one of them, bringing Damiere Byrd back as the clear fourth option at receiver wouldn't be a bad fallback plan.
• Defensive line depth

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  With the return of Lawrence Guy, the Patriots appear to have a starting three-man front solidified with him, Davon Godchaux, and Henry Anderson. But since the other two players are new faces, they are relative unknowns. And even if they pan out, there's little in the way of reliable depth behind them.
  
  Deatrich Wise is back and in it for the long haul. Byron Cowart flashed at times in his second season, but it's a wonder what he is long-term. Everyone else who played on the D-line last season did so out of necessity. So it would behoove Belichick to bring in one more defensive lineman, preferably an established veteran on short money.
  
  That type of player is still in abundance on the open market, particularly on the edge. The Patriots should have no problem fitting someone like Carlos Dunlap under their remaining cap space. Kawann Short and Jurell Casey are a pair of accomplished veteran interior defenders who would be put in a position to succeed here. A name like that would be the cherry on top of a wildly aggressive roster overhaul.

• Identify a new young cornerback

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  The Patriots' quarterback quandary has illustrated more than ever that it's better to figure out your future a year early than a year late. The Patriots may end up giving Stephon Gilmore one last extension, but it's time to start thinking about the next generation of Patriots cornerbacks.
  
  You may be wondering why there's a picture of South Carolina CB Jaycee Horn, and not of restricted free agent J.C. Jackson. That's because even if the Patriots do ultimately strike a long-term deal with Jackson, ideally they're still setting up for the post-Gilmore era. Jackson has proven to be a good starting cornerback and a legitimate playmaker, but is hea true No. 1 shutdown guy?
  
  Either way, you should be mentally prepared for Belichick to zag when everyone thinks he's going to zig. The Patriots had people in attendance at Horn's Pro Day and he's projected to be drafted right around pick No. 15. There are a few other elite prospects at CB, too. Don't be surprised if they go this route.

• Who’s covering tight ends?

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  This is a question that won't be answered until the team starts practicing. But they now have to figure out who's going to fill this role, which the retired Patrick Chung filled much of the time.
  
  Free-agent addition Jalen Mills has experience covering tight ends, so he may be the leader in the clubhouse. But they also tried Joejuan Williams and even Kyle Dugger in that role in 2020. It could also be a thing that changes from game-to-game, even snap-to-snap. But with Chung no longer in the fold, it's something they need to figure out.

MORE: Jimmy Garoppolo Back In Play For Patriots?

Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @mattydsays. You can also email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.

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