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Five Patriots Players Under the Most Pressure in 2016

Steve Balestrieri
Steve Balestrieri Senior Writer · PatsFans.com since 2011
May 5, 2016 at 6:00 am ET · 5 min read · 2.5k views
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Photo: Kevin Jairaj - USA TODAY Sports
5 min read Patriots Commentary

Jimmy Garoppolo is playing for his future…perhaps elsewhere in 2017. (USA TODAY Images)

#1 QB Jimmy Garoppolo:
Garoppolo has been the ever-faithful clipboard holder for Tom Brady, and up to this point, that has been just fine with the Patriots. The Patriots drafted him out of Eastern Illinois in the 2nd round of the 2014 NFL Draft with the 62nd overall pick to backup Brady and he’s done that.

Now with the Deflategate 4-game suspension being put back into play by the courts, it seems as if Brady will sit for the first four games of the season. Pressure? Sitting in for an HOF QB with a team that many are already picking as the favorite for the Super Bowl?

If Garoppolo didn’t feel enough pressure, the Patriots drafted Jacoby Brissett in the 3rd round of the draft last weekend, and before he’s even taken a snap in practice, many are anointing him as the new heir apparent to Brady.

The trade rumors are already heating up for Garoppolo in 2017 so it looks like he’s playing for his future in the first four games of the season. Playing for a perennial powerhouse team that isn’t accustomed to losing, patience will wear thin with him quickly if things don’t go well, especially with home games against Miami and Buffalo in Weeks 2-3.

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About Steve Balestrieri
Steve Balestrieri

A former US Army Special Forces NCO and Officer, Steve has been following the Patriots since their days at Fenway Park. Steve has worked in the film industry and wrote as an Military Editor at SpecialOperations.com, 1945.com as a reporter for the Millbury Daily Voice, Millbury-Sutton Chronicle, and the Grafton News. He's also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)

View all posts by Steve Balestrieri
Tags: 2016 Patriots Draft 2016 Patriots Roster 53 Man Roster Projection Aaron Dobson Bill Belichick Chris Long Danny Amendola Dion Lewis Jabaal Sheard Jimmy Garoppolo Julian Edelman Malcolm Butler Marcus Cannon Miami Dolphins New England Patriots New York Jets NFL Patriots Patriots edge rushers Pittsburgh Steelers Rob Gronkowski Rob Ninkovich Tom Brady

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