Trade intrigue surrounds Patriots QB Jimmy Garoppolo

Jimmy Garoppolo is unlikely to play in the Super Bowl, the usual life of a backup to New England Patriots star quarterback Tom Brady and all that goes with being in the shadows of the former NFL Most Valuable Player.

Garoppolo isn't your normal clipboard holder, though.

He's talented enough that he's emerged as a potential trade commodity for the Patriots and a possible target for quarterback-needy NFL teams, including the Texans.

The Patriots will obviously drive a hard bargain and hedge their bets with Garoppolo considering that the seemingly ageless Brady turns 40 next season. It could cost a first-round draft pick and change to get Garoppolo via a trade.

Garoppolo has maintained his focus on helping the Patriots' defense prepare for Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium in his role on the scout team imitating Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan.

"I'm really trying not to," Garoppolo said regarding all the trade talk. "Right now, it's just focusing on the Super Bowl. Biggest game of the year right now and toughest game, too. We're just trying to go out there and play our best game."

Garoppolo could eventually cash in, though, in a way akin to how the Texans invested a four-year, $72 million contract based on the potential quarterback Brock Osweiler displayed with the Denver Broncos behind Peyton Manning.

That contract hasn't worked out well at all so far with Osweiler throwing 16 interceptions in his first season with the Texans and still due $16 million guaranteed for 2017.

When asked if he'd like to be traded, Garoppolo replied: "I haven't even thought about it to be honest, sorry."

Garoppolo played well before hurting his shoulder while Brady served a four-game Deflategate suspension. Garoppolo, a former second-round draft pick from Eastern Illinois, has completed 67 percent of 94 throws with five touchdowns and zero interceptions.

"I just looked at it as a good opportunity," Garoppolo said. "It worked out pretty well."

The improvement of Garoppolo makes him a potential successor to Brady, but Brady has shown no signs of slowing down.

The Patriots are happy with how Garoppolo has progressed under their tutelage.

"Any young player that's playing for his first or second time and has some success, I think that helps you," Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels said. "You can put all the work into it, but confidence comes from performance.

"I think Jimmy went out there and did his thing. He did what he's always done in practice. Competed hard and tried to do his job and made the plays we needed him to make."