'Speak for Yourself' debate: Would Bill Belichick dump Tom Brady for Jimmy Garoppolo?
Bill Belichick told everyone in the preseason that no matter what happens, Tom Brady will be the New England Patriots' starting quarterback when he returns from his four-game suspension.
But after Jimmy Garoppolo led the shorthanded Pats to a season-opening win at Arizona, some people are starting to wonder whether Jimmy's time may be coming — if not already at hand.
Brady is 39. Garoppolo is 24. If Jimmy G. leads the Pats to a 4-0 start, would Belichick really bench him?
Colin Cowherd thinks Belichick is the one coach who would be most likely to move on from a veteran QB, even a legend like Brady.
"He's not fear-based," Cowherd said of Belichick on "Speak for Yourself" this week. "He is not loyal to players or schemes. He's not loyal to anything. Bill is about tomorrow. ... He is the 'cut a guy a day too early, not a day too late' (type).
"Wes Welker had stuff left in the tank. Richard Seymour. Darrelle Revis. Bill is not paralyzed by fear. I would argue his mistakes have generally been overly aggressive. If ... Garoppolo goes 4-0 and you don't think Bill Belichick is driving home that day or night thinking 'We've gotta have a discussion,' you're nuts."
Tom Brady (12) and Jimmy Garoppolo (10).
Jason Whitlock agreed that "men with options generally take them" and suggested that if this situation comes about, Brady could beat the Pats to the punch and retire.
Sports Illustrated's Peter King offered a third scenario on "The Herd."
"Bill Belichick is only going to be swayed by facts, nothing else," King said. "And I think what's going to be interesting, Colin, if Jimmy Garoppolo goes 4-0, I'll tell you exactly what's going to happen in the offseason: The Chicago Bears — or pick 10 teams — are going to call the New England Patriots and offer a first-round pick for Jimmy Garoppolo."
King also explained why the Pats' situation is different from what the Packers went through with Brett Favre. Watch it in the video below.
