I believe when the Pats drafted JE in 2014 they believed Brady's window was about 2-3 more years. When they drafted Jacobi in 2o16 they were doubling down. That strategy changed between 2014 and 16 when it became clear that Brady was NOT slowing down and he was going to be the best QB they had for the next few years. After that it was just a matter of getting the most assets for the 2 guys.
There IS a possibility that they didn't realize just how good Jacobi was going to be, but given what he was when they made the trade, they got very good value for him.....at the time.
In the end, the key factors in a good NFL QB is as follows in order of importance. 1. the ability to process the game. 2, Intelligence 3. Leadership 4. Arm strength 5. Quick release, 6. Mobility.
People take for granted how important #1 is. A QB usually has less than 3 seconds to read the field, determine the defense, assess the separation of his receivers, and then release an accurate throw, all the while the best athletes in the world are looking to tear his head off. We have been watching the GOAT at this particular skill for 20 years. Monday night was a good example of what it looks like when your QB doesn't have it...yet
Leadership and intelligence go without saying, then arm strength. It has its place because you have to have enough to make the throws outside the numbers. That doesn't mean you have need the STRONGEST arm, just one good enough. A quick release always helps, and was one of the first things I noticed about JG, and finally mobility. It clearly helps, but not above any of the rest. And mobility doesn't mean running around like a chicken with your head cut off. Brady and Marino were magicians moving within the pocket. Its the so called "mobility" guys like Watson and Mayfield who lead the league in sacks. Just sayin'
At any rate. BB stayed with Brady because he was still better than JG and JB, and he still is to this day. No Pats fan should have ANY regrets on that.
