Fallout from the Patriots’ stunning Monday trade of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo reaches rather far and wide, beginning with the fact New England has pushed all of its chips to the middle of the table on 40-year-old Tom Brady, with no eye toward his eventual successor.
Not that there has ever been much question, but now Patriots fans can be sure Brady, who’s signed through 2019, will end his career in a New England uniform. As for who his potential successor will be, that’s anyone’s guess.
Garoppolo was considered Brady’s heir apparent and immediate insurance in case of a Brady injury. They traded third-stringer Jacoby Brissett to Indianapolis in September for Phillip Dorsett, a No. 4 receiver. The Patriots do not have another quarterback on the roster.
For the 49ers, they get a quarterback for rookie coach Kyle Shanahan to build around after Brian Hoyer and rookie C.J. Beathard failed in this 0-8 season.
For Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins, his potential free-agent market just shrunk, with his most likely suitor out of the mix. Shanahan and Cousins have strong ties from Shanahan’s days in Washington, and the 49ers were expected to make a big play for Cousins in the free-agent market.
Garoppolo isn’t expected to start against the Cardinals on Sunday, but he could be ready to start just in time to play the Giants on Nov. 12.
With that, here’s a look at The Post’s NFL power rankings for Week 9 (last week’s ranking):
1. Eagles, 7-1 (1): Bolstered their position atop the NFC by trading for Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi.
2. Patriots, 6-2 (2): Winners of their last four games, they hit their bye in perfect shape for second-half run to capture yet another AFC East title. After allowing 128 points in its first four games, the Patriots have allowed 51 over the past four.
3. Chiefs, 6-2 (2): Their Monday win over the Broncos wasn’t artistic, but it ended a two-game mini-slide.
4. Steelers, 6-2 (4): Pittsburgh still abuzz over WR JuJu Smith-Schuster’s 97-yard TD catch-and-run … and he didn’t even need his new-found bicycle to get into the end zone.
5. Rams, 5-2 (5): Rams are 5-2 for first time in 14 years, and coming off bye week to face the struggling 1-6 Giants and 0-8 49ers.
6. Seahawks, 5-2 (6): Props for survival against the Texans and their wunderkind QB Deshaun Watson.
7. Vikings, 6-2 (7): So what if they’re playing with their third option at QB? Visions of being first team to play Super Bowl in its home building are dancing in the Vikings’ heads.
8. Saints, 5-2 (8): Five wins in a row with an improved defense that’s overshadowing prolific QB Drew Brees.
9. Bills, 5-2 (12): The 5-2 start is team’s best since 2008 and has a first playoff berth in 17 years well within possibility.
10. Falcons, 4-3 (9): They survived pesky Jets and the soaking-wet conditions Sunday, but this talented team needs to be better to stay in our top 10.
11. Panthers, 5-3 (11)
12. Jaguars, 4-3 (10)
13. Cowboys, 4-3 (13)
14. Titans, 4-3 (20)
15. Texans, 3-4 (19)
16. Packers, 4-3 (16)
17. Ravens, 4-4 (21)
18. Redskins, 3-4 (14)
19. Broncos, 3-4 (15)
20. Dolphins, 4-3 (22)
21. Lions, 3-4 (17)
22. Raiders, 3-5 (18)
23. Chargers, 3-5 (23)
24. Bears, 3-5 (24)
25. Jets, 3-5 (25)
26. Cardinals, 3-4 (26)
27. Buccaneers, 2-5 (27)
28. Bengals, 3-4 (28)
29. Giants, 1-6 (29)
30. Colts, 2-6 (30)
31. 49ers, 0-8 (31)
32. Browns, 0-8 (32)