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)

The New England Patriots are not expected to trade quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, according to a Wednesday report from ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Garoppolo has been, and will likely continue to be, the subject of trade rumors nonetheless.

A rising fourth-year pro, Garoppolo could net a first-round pick and more in a trade. He was nearly flawless in six quarters of action this past season before suffering a shoulder injury that kept him out of the second half of Week 2 and the entirety of Weeks 3 and 4.

Once Tom Brady returned from suspension, Garoppolo resumed his role as a backup.

Among the teams with potential interest: the Cleveland Browns, owners of the No. 1 and No. 12 picks in the 2017 NFL Draft. The Browns also hold a pair of second-round picks.

As CBS' Pete Prisco pointed out, it's hard to believe that the Patriots are not going to move Garoppolo. Brady's play has not dipped at all, and it's reasonable to assume that he can sustain this level for three or four more years. If that's the case, the Pats are not going to be able to pay Garoppolo enough as the backup, nor will Garoppolo want to keep waiting for his turn.

He becomes an unrestricted free agent after the 2017 season.

The Patriots brass is in Indianapolis this week for the NFL combine, where other teams are sure to facilitate the beginning stages of trade talks for Garoppolo.