Patriots: Does Brian Hoyer signing foreshadow the end of Jarrett Stidham?
Here’s one thing we can tell you: the New England Patriots will not be carrying four quarterbacks on their roster in 2021. It just won’t happen.
And we can already tell you that Cam Newton and Mac Jones are making the team.
As for Jarrett Stidham, we’re not so sure anymore.
On Monday night, it was reported the Pats are re-signing Brian Hoyer to ostensibly join their quarterbacks room. This would be the veteran’s seventh year with the team.
Hoyer was in Foxborough for 2020, but contributed to the team’s struggles, completely flopping in his one start when Newton was out with COVID-19.
Perhaps the Patriots realized that was more a product of their offense rather than who was under center.
NEW: The Patriots are re-signing quarterback Brian Hoyer. He's been with New England in 2009-11, 2017-18, and 2020 and now gets a fourth go-around. Joins Cam Newton, Mac Jones, and Jarrett Stidham on roster. https://t.co/mBP4Zb3tk7
— Jim McBride (@globejimmcbride) May 18, 2021
We’d have to assume bringing back a guy like Hoyer, who’s familiar with the organization (and very much so with the complex playbook), is a move to help aid Jones throughout his rookie season, during which he’ll likely be holding a clipboard for most (if not all) of it.
We’re positive Newton is an eager, lively and intelligent mentor, but he only has one year of experience with the Patriots’ offensive system. Jones will need to see it in practice and constantly hear it in his ear by someone else who’s well-versed, which is where Hoyer comes in. Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels have to be coaching each and every week — they can’t be dedicating all of their attention to ensuring Jones is absorbing any and all information possible.
So does this mean Stidham is about to become a roster casualty?
This'd put Jarrett Stidham squarely on the roster bubble. https://t.co/pFwR02q9Vf
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) May 18, 2021
Stidham was once viewed as a potential quarterback of the future after he was drafted back in 2019, but he just hasn’t shown an ability to take over as an NFL QB. Call it harsh — such is life in the NFL! — but just about every mid- to late-round draft pick needs to prove themselves in fragmented playing time.
The 24-year-old has only seen the field in eight games and has thrown just 48 passes, but most Patriots fans would agree that short audition has been uninspiring, outside of a nice fade pass to N’Keal Harry for a touchdown back in October.
Again, the Patriots’ offensive system these last two years certainly did not properly aid the lack of talent on the field. That has certainly affected the performance of a number of players — especially the quarterbacks, wide receivers and tight ends.
Unfortunately, Stidham could be a victim of circumstance. That was evident when Jones was drafted No. 15 overall. Now, with the addition of Hoyer, it’s all but official, unless he turns a corner in a colossal way this offseason and during the preseason.
