May 26, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) looks on as quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) looks to pass downfield during OTA’s at Gillette Stadium. Photo Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Tom Brady remains the starting quarterback for the Patriots but until he’s eligible to play in Week 5 at Cleveland, New England is on to Garoppolo.
Head coach Bill Belichick and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, in their first public comments since Brady’s four-game suspension for the January 2015 Deflategate incident was upheld, said they will keep the focus on the field, and that means preparing Jimmy Garoppolo to start Sept. 11 at Arizona.
“We had, finally, some definition with Tom’s situation, so our priority now is to get Jimmy (Garoppolo) ready for the start of the season, for the Arizona game (Sept. 11),” Belichick said Wednesday. “That will be, obviously, a comprehensive process. Tom will return as the starting quarterback when he comes back, but in the meantime, we have to prioritize the first part of our schedule and that will be to get Jimmy ready to go.”
McDaniels said Garoppolo will get a lot of reps with the first-team offense but every quarterback should see significant time in training camp, including rookie Jacoby Brissett.
Brady is eligible to participate in all preseason practices and games.
Preparation is a strong suit for Garoppolo, McDaniels said, easing concern leading up to his first career start.
“His preparation, the time he spends at it, he cares deeply about getting better each day,” McDaniels said.
