After Jimmy Garoppolo was shipped out of New England last season, reports suggested that Tom Brady's unhappiness at having another starting calibre QB on the roster was part of the reason for his departure.So, it seemed rather futile to even ponder the 40-year-old's reaction to the Pats potentially spending a first round pick on another possible heir to his throne. Clearly he'd be incensed by such a move, right? Apparently not! Take a look at Brady's comment on this Instagram post by the NFL Network.

After NFL draft analyst Bucky Brooks suggested that Louisville QB Lamar Jackson could be a surprise pick by the Patriots late in the first round, Brady surprisingly seemed to endorse the potential move. 

'He's a beast!!!!!' the four-time Super Bowl MVP wrote. 

Maybe Brady doesn't see the former Heisman Trophy winner as a threat to his starting job in the foreseeable future, or maybe he just loves Jackson's explosive playmaking ability on the football field. Either way, it seems odd for him to go out of his way to seemingly support the addition of another QB to the Patriots' roster. 

Jackson clearly saw the comments and was pretty chuffed with it as he tweeted a response, writing "The GOAT spoke", in reference to Brady being the best ever to play the quarterback position.

The Patriots hold two first round picks in 2018, numbers 23 and 31 plus the 43rd and 63rd picks in the second, and it has been suggested that they could move up to the top of round one to snag one of the consensus top four signal callers in the class.

Jackson isn't billed as a potential top 10 pick, hence why it's possible the Patriots could consider taking him with one of their first round selections. If they do, they'll have a huge project on their hands to adapt his game to the NFL. 

The dynamic QB, who's been heavily compared to Michael Vick throughout his career, has electric speed and playmaking ability as a runner which he proved time after time at Louisville. 

Jackson posted back-to-back seasons of 1,500-plus rushing yards in Bobby Petrino's pro-style offense, as well tossing 57 touchdowns and 19 interceptions over the same time span.

Though there are serious concerns regarding his durability and accuracy as a passer, the 21-year-old has ample arm talent and his upside is enormous if his explosive running ability can be harnessed in the right manner at the next level. However, if there's any organisation that can find a way for him to succeed in the NFL it's the Patriots. 

Having Brady's support is obviously enormously important if Jackson were to be drafted by last season's Super Bowl runners up, but it remains to be seen whether the cerebral elder statesmen would actually approve of the decision should it become reality. 

One can't help but think that Brady would be more comfortable with Brian Hoyer as the only other man in the quarterback room though.