Welcome to the Two-Minute Drill, a roundup of all the (mostly) Patriots-related offseason news you need to start your Wednesday. Grab your lunch, and let's boogie...
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Let's be clear: the best option for both the Patriots and Tom Brady is to figure out for a way to make things work for two more years. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Add a few more weapons, and it's tailor-made for Brady to slip back into his offense and rally the troops again.
Everyone remembers Peyton Manning won a Super Bowl with the Broncos ... people forget it took two years to get to one, and four years to win it. Brady is likely not going to have that kind of time, if that's what is important to him (just some fresh air and a new scene might be just as important at this point). But Kyle Shanahan (like mentor Gary Kubiak did with Manning in Denver) is smart enough to quickly adapt his offense with Brady (and that would be a true bro partnership).
So it was smart of Tom Curran to strongly mention the 49ers as a possibility in all this, even if he freely admitted there was a heavy dose of (smart) speculation. But there's a reason why San Fran was among those possible darkhorse teams that league sources said could be laying in the weeds with Brady — it makes a lot of sense.
Brady possibly gives the 49ers a better QB for one or two more years, and they can go back to finding the successor.
And, perhaps more importantly, it allows the Patriots to move on from Brady while also saving face to its fans if they can bring back Jimmy Garoppolo to succeed Brady, instead of the Andy Daltons of the NFL.
But it seems to be a longshot to happen for a few different reasons:
1. Garoppolo is not far away. I wrote about this after the Super Bowl ... Garoppolo just lacked some experience in that game and with more snaps and more time in the offense, he'll get there. And I didn't think a Tom-for-Jimmy swap was in the 49ers' best interest at that time.
2. 49ers have been really strong on Garoppolo. Look, it's Liars Season in the NFL but as opposed to, say, Mike Vrabel on Ryan Tannehill or Mike Mayock on Derek Carr, 49ers GM John Lynch was really, really strong on the future of Garoppolo with his words:
“We’re extremely proud of Jimmy and committed to Jimmy moving forward,” Lynch said. “He’s our guy. As I said, from the day he walked into our building, he made us better and we continue to feel that’s the case. That’s the most exciting thing about him is the room for growth. He’s not come close to hitting his ceiling.”
3. Does Garoppolo want to be "The Guy After Brady"? I don't remember the specifics from the time of the trade from the Patriots but I did hear from a few people that perhaps Garoppolo preferred to start fresh somewhere else instead of being the guy after Brady. Not that he was afraid of that — Garoppolo doesn't lack for confidence — but just it's almost a no-win situation. Similar to the coach that follows Bill Belichick.
4. The 49ers media thinks this will never happen. Lynch and Shanahan are the type of people, like Les Snead and Sean McVay with the Rams, who would lay in the weeds and spring this type of move to win with a team that's built for a Super Bowl right now, but those closest to the situation out there aren't even entertaining this move. And respected reporters like Matt Maiocco and Matt Barrows haven't said much on the topic. They're the types not to give air to someone they feel isn't possible. But we'll see if they change their tune. They would be my weathervanes.
5. Remember how this all started ... basically, Deion Sanders talking about it, Peter King picking it up and dismissing it and then Mike Florio running with it.
To be continued...
2. The Patriots have picked up the option on Jason McCourty according to Ian Rapoport ... guess they're not going to get much younger on defense this year. But he could be good Devin protection if he bolts. Jason can play multiple spots, including safety.
3. Mohamed Sanu had successful ankle surgery, according to Mike Giardi. Hopefully he's ready at some point in camp.
4. If the Patriots want Andy Dalton, they might have some competition from the Bears, among others.
5. The Saints could be coming after Jamie Collins ... that would make a lot of sense for them.
6. You really don't want to see the Chiefs get better if you're the Patriots and them landing CB Chris Harris would make them better on defense. When healthy, the premier slot CB in the game.
7. Patriots could have some interest in WR Travis Benjamin when he's released from the Chargers, but it would have to be at smart money.
Around the NFL...
8. CB A.J. Bouye is going from the Jaguars to the Broncos for just a fourth-round pick. Expensive contract.
9. Really good story from Andrew Brandt on what's good and not good in the new CBA, which hasn't been voted on yet and we're getting close to the new league year.
10. Raiders could be going after CB Byron Jones ... I would expect them to kick the tires on Devin McCourty as well. Those two would instantly make them better on defense.
Drug policy changes under proposed #NFL CBA:
No suspensions for positive test of marijuana. 3 game suspension for DUI. 2 game suspension for 1st positive test for Stimulants/diuretics; 6 games for anabolics; 8 games for manipulation/substitution & use of prohibited substance. pic.twitter.com/TfQAvHXQAf
— Darren Heitner (@DarrenHeitner) March 4, 2020