The New England Patriots are comfortable with Jimmy Garoppolo as the starter for Tom Brady when he serves his suspension, as the Pats released backup Matt Flynn and have signed free agent QB Ryan Lindley to take over as the third backup and moving forward there is chance that the team could bring back Flynn later in camp.
According to Pro Football Talk, the Patriots have released Matt Flynn from the roster and that left just Garoppolo and Brady as the quarterbacks for New England. It did not last long though, as a report from ESPN has the Pats signing a free agent quarterback. Field Yates reports that the Pats have brought in Ryan Lindley on a deal to play this summer and he will likely get some work on Thursday in the preseason.
Lindley comes in after playing for the Cardinals and he started last season for the team in the playoffs against the Panthers. Lindley was not good in that game, tossing two interceptions and he comes in after throwing four picks and two TDs last season in three games for the Cardinals. Lindley previously played in 2012 and played in six games for Arizona, throwing seven interceptions and zero touchdowns and completing 52 percent of his passes.
The Patriots play on Thursday to open the preseason and they needed to add another QB to play behind Garoppolo, as he is slotted to start the first four weeks of the season. Flynn has been dealing with a hamstring issue and he was on the non-football injury list for the time being. PFT writes that Flynn could return when healthy. Lindley has some starting experience and if he plays well in camp and the preseason, he could be an option to stick around this year.
The Patriots likely will be careful with Garoppolo since he is the presumed starter when Brady is out, but they also want to get him more experience and that could happen in the preseason. Garoppolo got a long look last season in the preseason and this year in training camp he has been getting work with the first team offense. ESPN reported that last week Garoppolo got the "majority" of first team reps at practice for the Patriots ahead of Tom Brady.
Garoppolo has long been expected to start for Brady in the first four games of the season if the suspension holds up and the Pats have confidence that the team can win those games. Garoppolo comes in after playing in six games last season, throwing for 182 yards and one touchdown while completing 70 percent of his passes. Garoppolo was drafted in the second round last year and the Pats see him as a future option once Brady's career is done and now he could get an early look this season.