Niner Noise
FanSided

Biggest winners & losers from 49ers’ record deal with Jimmy Garoppolo

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 05: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to their game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levis Stadium on November 5, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 05: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to their game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levis Stadium on November 5, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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FOXBORO, MA – NOVEMBER 13: Head coach Bill Belichick talks with Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots before a game against the Seattle Seahawks at Gillette Stadium on November 13, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA – NOVEMBER 13: Head coach Bill Belichick talks with Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots before a game against the Seattle Seahawks at Gillette Stadium on November 13, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /

Loser: New England Patriots

The Patriots no longer have a succession plan in place after dealing Jimmy Garoppolo just prior to the 2017 NFL trade deadline.

After all, Garoppolo was supposed to be the heir apparent to future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady, as well as Bill Belichick’s final imprint on the franchise when the head coach finally elected to retire.

Depending on how much you believe of the ESPN Seth Wickersham report on how Belichick, Brady and Patriots owner Robert Kraft differed on Garoppolo’s future with the team, the simple fact is New England has to figure out something else now. And it might not be easy.

Brady wants to play into his mid 40s.

But Father Time remains undefeated. The drop off between a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback to a liability can be quick and sharp. Former Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning went from a Pro Bowler in 2014 to a far-below-average QB the following year, retiring after his team carried him to Super Bowl 50.

That was Manning’s swan song. Brady’s is coming sooner than later.