As of Monday morning, the New England Patriots will go into the 2020 season with three quarterbacks on the roster who could replace Tom Brady.
There’s Jarrett Stidham, the former Auburn QB they selected with a fourth-rounder in the 2019 draft. Next is Cody Kessler, the former Brown and Jaguar. Then there’s Brian Hoyer, the vet joining the Pats for a third stint after signing over the weekend.
That’s it? That’s it … for now.
There’s no former-notable-name-turned-reclamation project, despite there being a few on the market.
And I refuse to believe that Bill Belichick is satisfied with that.
Maybe he’s waiting until Cam Newton gets released instead of traded. Perhaps he’s prepared to make a deal to move up in the draft to take a rookie who he thinks can start right away. He could be secretly speaking to a team about making a trade that would work under the cap, although there’s this report that Cincinnati Bengals vet Andy Dalton isn’t a target at the moment:
Something would have to change for the Pats to turn their attention to Andy Dalton. He hasn’t been discussed among the Pats’ immediate plans. https://t.co/FWZ3sAZemf
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) March 21, 2020
Our Henry McKenna — who also covers the team for Patriots Wire — has detailed what Belichick’s Brady replacement plan could be, and he mentioned (before the Hoyer signing, which was a reported $1.05 million) that they have about $5 million in cap space before guard Joe Thuney signs his franchise tag. That doesn’t seem great for a position that demands a lot of money.
The #Patriots will bring QB Brian Hoyer back on a 1-year deal to join Jarrett Stidham and Cody Kessler… plus there is always the draft. Given where NE is cap-wise, this is probably it at the position.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 22, 2020
But I still can’t believe it’s all over.
For one, Belichick is a mad genius. If anyone can wiggle his way out of this cap situation with a trade that makes it all work or the right cuts, it’s him. Let’s also remember he’s turning 68 next month. Does he really want to have a transition year without Brady, something I assume will happen if he starts any of those three? I don’t know, but I would assume no.
If he doesn’t see any sign of stopping at the helm of the franchise, then perhaps he’s got a long-term plan in place like trading for Deshaun Watson next offseason.
This can’t be it … can it?
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