For months we’ve heard the top insiders- ESPN’s Adam Schefter, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, MMQB’s Peter King- say that the New England Patriots are not going to trade QB Jimmy Garoppolo.
When asked about the team’s intention with Garoppolo and CB Malcolm Butler, Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio left the door open for discussion.
“Anything that we do we’re always going to do what we think is in the best interest of our football team and that’s how we approach it,” Caserio said. “That’s not going to change. So whatever we think is best for our team for 2017, for that season, then that’s what we’ll do. However that manifests itself [I’m] not exactly sure, but that’s where the focus is – trying to put together the best team possible for the 2017 season. However that comes about then we’ll take it as it comes.”
While Caserio led with a typical non-answer, he closed by leaving all of his options open. “Whatever we think is best for our team” and “however that manifest itself” certainly makes it seem like the Patriots are open for business- so long as the trade offer is worth the Patriots time.
When asked specifically about Butler, who subsequently signed his tender, Caserio said that he wasn’t expecting anything to happen, but things could change.
“I don’t anticipate that many transactions here between now and next Thursday or Friday,” Caserio said about a potential Butler trade. “Could that change? I mean, look, it’s the National Football League. Things can change in a heartbeat. So our focus is on getting ready for the draft and trying to put together the best team possible.”
At this point in time, the Patriots don’t sound like a team that has a worthwhile offer on the table for Garoppolo or Butler, but Caserio certainly sounded like a person that was hoping a team like the Cleveland Browns or the New Orleans Saints would step up to the plate over the next week and make an offer that the Patriots can’t refuse.