Jimmy Garoppolo

New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) signals to teammates during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

(Charles Krupa)

Jimmy Garoppolo's six quarters as the New England Patriots starting quarterback could not have gone better.

And now, with Deflategate in the rear view and the franchise's fifth Super Bowl secured, it's fair to say that the Patriots actually benefitted from the whole fiasco.

If available via trade, Garoppolo figures to be the most enticing quarterback on the market this offseason. The Patriots could realistically receive a first-round pick -- and more -- for the three-year veteran.

While a trade is no guarantee, it does seem likely given Tom Brady's excellent 2016 season and desire to play into his mid-40s.

A week ago, Julian Edelman offered some high praise for Garoppolo.

"I'm not a paid G.M. so I don't know the whole value thing. As far as a guy that I could play with every single day, Jimmy Garoppolo, I mean, the guy's a stud," Edelman said on NFL Network. "He went out and played in the regular season and he played very well. He's got that kind of gunslinger confidence. That Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers kind of confidence. He practices hard, he prepares hard. He's a good kid, he's young. I think he's a good player."

Appearing on The NFL Network's Good Morning Football, Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan echoed Edelman's opinion.

"I would probably make a similar comparison," I mean, Jimmy's got a great arm. He's an athletic kid, and you know, he plays really well. When he gets his chance in the NFL, I think that he'll be real successful."

Garoppolo's rookie contract expires at the end of the 2017 season. The Patriots could keep him through 2017 and postpone a decision until the 2018 offseason, when he would likely be traded on the franchise tag and would then have to negotiate a long-term contract with his new team.