Patriots: Ranking the likelihood of NE landing these QBs for 2021 season

Who’s most likely to end up under center for the Patriots in 2021?

By missing the playoffs, the New England Patriots will have had extra time to sort through potential additions — whether it be through free agency, trade or the draft — they want to make by the time the new league year starts.

When it comes to the quarterback position, they figure to have no shortage of options. That, of course, is excluding the free agent market, unless the Patriots want to pursue a few middling options like Mitchell Trubisky, Andy Dalton or Ryan Fitzpatrick.

We hear your rebuttal that Dak Prescott is currently not under contract, but he’s given no evidence to suggest that he wants to play anywhere but Dallas. Because of that, he’ll likely either get tagged yet again or defy the odds and ink a long-term extension in the coming weeks/months.

Based on the latest rumors, we’ve identified a handful of quarterbacks who could potentially be under center for the Patriots come training camp. To avoid revealing their names, we’ve gone ahead and ranked them in order of the likelihood that they end up in New England.

6. Cam Newton

Could re-signing Cam Newton be the Patriots’ contingency plan this offseason?

We know what you’re thinking: it was widely reported before the season finale that Cam Newton and the Patriots mutually agreed to go their separate ways after their lone year together, why on earth would they ever consider re-signing him after that leaked? In a nutshell, that’s a valid point.

However, we wouldn’t be so quick to rule out a potential reunion if all else fails this offseason, especially since Bill Belichick walked back the “report” of their relationship’s demise immediately. Think about it for a second. Given his familiarity with the playbook, roster and overall culture of the team, wouldn’t running it back with Newton under center be a tremendous fallback option?

If the Patriots swing and miss on all of their alternative options, don’t be surprised if Newton ends up back with the team in 2021. However, considering that’s extremely unlikely, we simply had no business ranking him anywhere other than last on this list.