Top Jarrett Stidham landing spot might not be interested after Patriots’ draft
By Mike Luciano
While the New England Patriots spent the 2022 NFL Draft adding more help for Mac Jones in the form of Cole Strange and Tyquan Thornton, Bill Belichick managed to get extra protection at the quarterback spot by using a fourth-round pick on Western Kentucky quarterback Bailey Zappe. This could bring about the end of the Jarrett Stidham era.
With Jones and Brian Hoyer already on the roster in addition to Zappe, it looks like the odd man out in this group will be Stidham. After arriving in New England with some question marks due to what was largely considered a disappointing college career, he has not done his best to change the narrative.
If Stidham is going to be released at some point in the near future to make room for Zappe, he might not have the longest list of potential suitors after a fairly middling career in New England. Even one of his biggest supporters has apparently ruled out the possibility of a reunion.
Houston Texans GM Nick Caserio was a big fan of Stidham when he was drafted. However, with three quarterbacks on the roster in young starter Davis Mills, backup Jeff Driskell, and longtime journeyman Kyle Allen, Stidham might not have a seat at the table. The Auburn product’s options in the NFL are drying up.
Nick Caserio was a Jarrett Stidham fan with Pats. If he’s cut after Bailey Zappe drafted, will Caserio claim him? Texans have 3 QBs on roster. Lovie Smith doesn’t seem interested in a fourth.
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) April 30, 2022
Will Bailey Zappe replace Jarrett Stidham on the New England Patriots?
Stidham didn’t blow the doors off of scouts at Auburn, but he did manage to make it to the NFL thanks to some solid mobility and a powerful arm. While playing time has been very limited, Stidham has not taken advantage when he has made it out onto the field as a Patriot.
Stidham has thrown just 48 passes in the NFL, but four of them have been intercepted, and two of them have been returned for touchdowns. With New England moving ahead with Jones as the quarterback of the future and Zappe as a high-end backup, Stidham likely won’t be able to hang around.
The Patriots’ fourth-rounder and newest addition is coming off a season in which he broke Joe Burrow’s record for touchdown passes in a single season with 62 and was just 33 yards shy of reaching 6,000. That production, combined with accuracy deep down the field that Stidham never had, will set him up nicely for pro success.
My favorite Patriots draft pick? QB Bailey Zappe in the fourth round.
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) May 1, 2022
*You can never have enough QBs.
*Stidham (final year of contract) has reached the end of the line.
*If Zappe can nip at Mac’s heels and make him uncomfortable, all the better.
Stidham will likely get a second chance, as some team will try to add his arm to their quarterback room as a practice squad guy. However, two of his biggest supporters in New England and Houston appear to be all set at the quarterback position without Stidham in their plans.