Let’s not forget Patriots need to find a backup QB this offseason too

Who will the Patriots’ backup quarterback be in 2021?

All the talk surrounding the New England Patriots heading into the offseason is focused on their next starting quarterback. Cam Newton didn’t work out and he’ll likely be moving on, while Jarrett Stidham, understandably, given the circumstances, was unable to show any signs of promise in his limited action.

But perhaps fans and pundits are overlooking the likely scenario in which the Patriots need to find themselves a new starting QB and backup QB. The steady Tom Brady is no longer under center. The backup quarterback position holds more value than ever across the last two-plus decades.

The Patriots need to brace for many possibilities with their next starter. Will he grasp the system quickly? What about potential injuries? Those are two things that were never really a question under Brady. Now, the future is uncertain, and it’s clear if something were to happen, Stidham is not the answer to carry the load.

Even if we’re being fair to Stidham and acknowledging the fact that the Patriots’ lack of weapons was so glaring in 2020 that just about any quarterback would’ve fallen flat on their face, fans simply didn’t see enough flashes from the former Auburn star. His arm strength doesn’t appear to blow anybody away, and his mobility, which was a big reason for his success in college, doesn’t seem to entirely translate to the next level.

Forget about him potentially starting in 2021. Some don’t even think he can competently take on a backup role. Plus, it’s clear Bill Belichick had no interest in seeing what Stidham was capable of this past season, even with the Patriots out of contention with three weeks left in the season. You have to imagine that says it all in regard to his future.

New England will have a ton of cap space this offseason, and while the starting QB market is as weak as it gets, there will be a ton of backup options available. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Colt McCoy, Jameis Winston, Nick Mullens, Andy Dalton and others will be hitting the open market. Almost all of those guys contributed in some significant way this past season.

Chalk this up as another item on the offseason to-do list for Belichick.

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