Patriots News: Bill Belichick, Trent Brown, Michael Penix Jr. and Matthew Slater
Patriots reporter doesn't believe Michael Penix Jr. is a good fit for the team
Most of the quarterbacks that have been favored to land in New England due to their high first-round draft pick have remained the same for the entire season: Drake Maye and Caleb Williams. Since they currently hold the third selection and have the chance to move up to the second or fall as low as the fifth, their options have widened to accommodate wherever they may land.
Because Maye and Williams have been touted as the best quarterbacks of the class, most believe the Patriots need to snag one of them or go in another direction if they're off the board by the time they're on the clock. However, a stand-out performance by University of Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. earlier this week has quickly placed him on the radar as a potential candidate for New England.
He has been a name in the mix over the last few months, with his draft value suffering mainly due to his injury history. Now that he showed up and showed out against Texas in the Sugar Bowl, moving his team into the CFP National Championship, he's risen to the top of the list for fans who want a game-changing quarterback next season.
But now some are saying we need to pump the breaks on Penix, like NBC Sports Boston's Phil Perry, who isn't sure he would be a good fit for the Patriots.
"As much as I like him, and as good as he is, I'm not sure he's the best fit for the #Patriots right now"@PhilAPerry breaks down why Washington Huskies QB Michael Penix Jr. may not be a good fit in New England 👀 pic.twitter.com/GEZfKXNmQp
— NBC Sports Boston's Patriots Coverage (@NBCSPatriots) January 3, 2024
It's interesting to hear Perry suggest a more mobile quarterback would be better for the Patriots team since they have proven incapable of properly developing and surrounding them with the talent they need. All we have to do is look at Cam Newton in 2020 and the botch of Malik Cunningham this year.
The concern about Penix's injuries is not shocking in the least and will undoubtedly play a huge role in where he is ultimately drafted. But his incredible performance in the Sugar Bowl is undeniable, and he will have another opportunity to prove he can be the guy for a team like the Patriots when he takes on Michigan in the Championship game next week.