The New England Patriots appear content to stick with what they’ve got at the quarterback position for 2020. Bill Belichick said on NFL Network the Patriots “feel like we have four good players there” at quarterback.
The group is comprised of veterans Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer and undrafted free agents J’Mar Smith and Brandon Lewerke. The favorite to start is Stidham, who spent 2019 serving as Tom Brady’s backup. Brady, of course, left for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in free agency this offseason, which is how the Patriots have an opening at quarterback.
Hoyer shouldn’t be discounted. He may have lost a quarterback battle against Stidham in training camp last season, but Hoyer’s experience may appeal to Belichick, particularly if there’s no training camp this offseason due to the coronavirus pandemic. Without time to work on the offense with Stidham, who ran the scout team for most of 2019, the Patriots may find they’re happier with a more experienced veteran like Hoyer.
"We feel like we have 4 good players there…" – Belichick when asked by Rich Eisen about the QB room. Yes, he includes both undrafted guys. He then called Jarrett Stidham "Stid" again. "I'm sure he'll get ready to go…and we'll see where it takes us." #Patriots @nflnetwork
— Michael Giardi (@MikeGiardi) May 8, 2020
Stidham has zero starting experience in the NFL after joining the Patriots as a fourth-round draft choice in 2019. Hoyer, meanwhile, has served as a starter around the NFL, though he has not started for New England in his two previous stints with the team. Even so, Stidham is still the likeliest starter, especially if he gets a training camp to develop.
There has been some speculation as to whether New England might add quarterback Cam Newton, who remains a free agent. That seems to be growing unlikely as Belichick makes indications he’s content with the current quarterback group.
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