The New England Patriots will be watching one of their own take part in Super Bowl LIV in San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Unfortunately, it appears there has now been some salt added to the wound of his departure.

The Patriots parted ways with Garoppolo in exchange for a second-round pick in 2018. According to ESPN's Seth Wickersham, the 49ers were shocked that the bid was so low and were even willing to up the bargaining price had head coach Bill Belichick asked.

Then the 49ers got what every successful team needs: luck, in two ways. The first instance occurred just before the trading deadline in 2017, when Belichick texted Shanahan, a coach whom he respected enormously, and offered Jimmy Garoppolo straight up for a second-round pick. The 49ers were stunned — Belichick had told staff in the Patriots building and any team that had inquired that the quarterback would not be traded — and were prepared to counter with a larger package, in case Belichick happened to be posturing. He wasn't.

It is safe to say that most coaches or general managers would not hesitate to swap a second-round pick straight up for a potential franchise quarterback. The majority of teams in the league today have spent much more just to find a stable option under center.

There is no question that the 49ers managed to get plenty of bang for their buck by earning a trip to the Super Bowl just two seasons after striking the deal. Despite a rough start to his tenure in San Francisco, he has played an integral part in helping to spark their impressive resurgence.

If there is any silver lining for Patriots fans, it is that Garoppolo has been perhaps the weak link on a 49ers team that has been carried by its strong run game and formidable defense. Regardless, it will not matter much if this blueprint helps him secure his third Super Bowl ring.