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New England Patriots: Jarrett Stidham the next man up in Foxborough

By Justin Trombino

FOXBOROUGH, MA - SEPTEMBER 22: Jarrett Stidham #4 of the New England Patriots prepares to throw during the fourth quarter of a game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - SEPTEMBER 22: Jarrett Stidham #4 of the New England Patriots prepares to throw during the fourth quarter of a game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images) /
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Devin McCourty seems to believe that second-year quarterback, Jarrett Stidham, is going to be with the New England Patriots for a long time.

After not re-signing Tom Brady and not making any moves in free agency to address the matter, it appears that the New England Patriots will be moving forward with Jarrett Stidham as their starting quarterback for next season and possibly even for future years to come.

Although Stidham didn’t get much playing time during the regular season while backing up Tom Brady last year as a rookie, Stidham was very active in running the team’s second unit while also helping the defense prepare during practices.

Though it’s not going to be easy being the replacement for Tom Brady, Stidham must have shown Bill Belichick and his coaching staff that he has what it takes to be a starting quarterback in the NFL. After all, the Patriots did use a fourth-round draft pick on him in last year’s draft.

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While proving himself every week in practice last season as the backup quarterback, and doing a good job in doing so, Stidham earned some praise from one of the franchises most respected players and team captains, Devin McCourty.

On an episode of his “Double Coverage Podcast” hosted with his twin brother, Jason McCourty, Devin would go on to say that he believes Stidham is worthy of leading a team and that he is going to be in New England for a long time:

"“To me, there were weeks where he was just on-point. And those were some of our best weeks as a defense, mainly because Stiddy ate us up in practice leading up to the game, and I think put more pressure on us. So I really admire just how hard he works, and then I’ve got to know him off the field as well. He’s a really good guy. Young guy, but very mature. He’s married. I think the Stidhams are going to be in New England for a long time.”- Devin McCourty, per Double Coverage Podcast"

It’s worth mentioning that the New England Patriots also brought back veteran quarterback Brian Hoyer on a one-year deal and told him that he would be able to compete for the starting job. Hoyer is familiar with the playbook seeing as he started his career with the Patriots and is now entering his third stint with the team. Stidham ultimately beat out Hoyer for the backup job in New England last season, which led Hoyer to sign with the Indianapolis Colts.

Although under much different circumstances, it seems like Belichick could be looking at the situation with Stidham and Hoyer as he did with Brady and Drew Bledsoe back in 2001. In each scenario, both quarterbacks know the playbook and are each capable of stepping up in whatever role will be needed from them.

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Whatever the situation may be, Jarrett Stidham is going to have the opportunity to showcase himself as a starting quarterback; but what he does with that opportunity is entirely up to him. I think it’s worth giving him the keys to the team this season.

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