At the center of a historic NFL trade deadline was the Patriots’ decision to send Jimmy Garoppolo to the 49ers in exchange for a second round pick. It’s a trade that carries obvious significance even though the full ramifications won’t be known for years.
And the deal has quite a history to live up to. Previous transactions between New England and San Francisco have often carried notable repercussions. Hall of Famers, All-Pros, and Super Bowl winners have all found their stories interwoven with a 49ers-Patriots trade.
Here’s a look at a few of the more momentous deals from over the years, and some of the interesting ripple effects:
April 5, 1976
After taking Stanford’s Heisman Trophy-winning Jim Plunkett first overall in 1971, the Patriots were ready to move on from him five years later.