After a period of certainty, there are a lot of questions at quarterback for the New England Patriots in 2020.
The New England Patriots are facing the most challenging period of their history in nearly 20 years, since 2001. That 2001 challenge began the day Mo Lewis of the New York Jets with a vicious hit took Patriots Drew Bledsoe out of the 2nd game of the year. And out as New England Patriots starting quarterback.
Bledsoe was replaced by a certain No. 12, and the rest, as they say, is history. He never regained it. No. 12 replaced No. 11 and over the next 20 years, No.12 ruled the roost. Ruled the NFL. Ruled professional sports. Became the undisputed GOAT of NFL quarterbacks.
Brady transformed the New England Patriots into the dominant and feared colossus of the north. It was nightmarish to enter Foxborough Stadium then Gillette Stadium, you’d just lose. And on the road, they were just as feared, fearless and nearly unstoppable. And then No. 12 left New England after 20 years for Tampa Bay of all places.
Now that No.12 has bolted from the scene, the New England Patriots are faced with significant challenges ahead. The question has long been asked: Brady or Belichick? Who is more responsible for the New England Patriots run of unparalleled success in the era of free agency? That question may very well be answered to a point, in part, this season.
In light of this earth-shattering development, what have/will the Patriots do to replace the GOAT and remain at an annual Super Bowl level? Well, that’s not happening. No one will ever replace No. 12. But can they maybe be a competitive team, you know, a good team this season?
Well, for an egocentric guy like the head coach, that likely won’t be good enough. And that’s a good thing for the fans. The head coach will be driven to excel and demonstrate that it was his acumen that was the driving force behind the New England Patriots dynasty, not a certain quarterback.
So, what happens now at the quarterback position?
New England Patriots stay the course
So, to end any doubt about who maybe was responsible, the New England Patriots and their domineering and dominant head coach must win and win big.
More from New England Patriots
- Former Patriot Stevan Ridley Put Kevin Hart in a Wheelchair
- 3 Patriots Who Can Clinch a Roster Spot in Final Preseason Game
- Patriots Get Win Over Division Rivals Before Season Even Begins
- New Massachusetts Sportsbook Promos: $450 Bonus to Bet on Your Patriots at Caesars + DraftKings
- Ezekiel Elliott Reveals 3 Reasons Why He Signed With Patriots
Only that will make it clear that he can win and will win without No. 12. With any quarterback for that matter. Right?
So, he now has a quarterback, Jarrett Stidham, who has thrown a total of 4 passes in an NFL game. Now before you throw a lamppost at me, I do realize that No. 12 was in a similar situation on that day when Mo Lewis changed Drew’s fate, that of that certain No. 12 and that of the New England Patriots’ franchise, forever. OK, it’s possible. But is it likely?
Stidham looked good in pre-season last year. Fine. But is he ready with the team around him at present (the draft, undrafted free agency and late free agency notwithstanding) to lead the New England Patriots into the playoffs and make a run for the Super Bowl or at a minimum the AFC Championship game?
The answer is, who the heck knows. But I will say this, it’s not so likely to happen as if old No. 12 were still here and if they hadn’t unceremoniously kicked him to the curb.
If the New England Patriots hitch their horse to Stidham, they better hope he can ride like Frank Hopkins in the movie Hidalgo. Maybe he can. We’ll see. But don’t bet your horse on it.
New England Patriots bring back Brian Hoyer
OK, so now they have Jarrett Stidham, the second-year man. Who else do they have at quarterback?
Well, they just released Cody Kessler their third-string quarterback last year. OK, no big deal. But prior to that move, they brought Brian Hoyer back to New England. This is his third stint with the team. He was a good backup to No. 12.
He’ll be 35 years old this season and he’s never really been that effective as a starter. So is the assumption he will again be a backup, this time too? Yet to be seen.
Here’s how I see it. The release of Kessler and the signing of Hoyer are basically non-factors in the 2020 New England Patriots season.
Some prognosticators have suggested that the release of Kessler indicates that the Patriots are truly and totally committed to Stidham as their No. 1 quarterback with Hoyer in reserve. Fine. But where does that get you?
As noted above, it may, in fact, connote a great move by the New England Patriots to elevate Stidham as they once did No. 12, and voila, instant and sustained mega-success. Well, I’m not so certain.
But there is another theory to be espoused and I’ll espouse it. Here’s the theory.
New England Patriots go for the gold
Here goes.
The alternative and the counterintuitive theory is that the New England Patriots move on from the past generation and into the new age of NFL offenses. And releasing Cody Kessler may indicate that they have cleared space for the next generation quarterback who will be selected in the draft in less than three weeks in the first round of the NFL draft.
That quarterback will be a leader. Driven to win. He’ll be an accurate passer. That quarterback will be mobile, not just in pocket mobile but he’ll able to run inside and outside, and run well. He’ll be a bonafide dual-threat guy who can do both effectively. Rather, he’ll do both superbly.
More from Chowder and Champions
- 3 Midseason Chaim Bloom Decisions That Have Killed the 2023 Red Sox
- 10 Patriots Who Will Be Cut by Tuesday’s Roster Deadline
- MLB Screws Red Sox Fans With Broadcast for Mookie Betts Return
- 3 Most Underpaid Celtics Heading Into the 2023 Season
- Red Sox Continue Rollercoaster Season With Massive Win
That quarterback will be Jalen Hurts of Oklahoma (see William Hyland‘s article about Hurts.)
The Patriots will then bring in multiple additional weapons through an offense-heavy draft to complement this new quarterback/leader. And that will include a new, powerful running back who can get a yard or two when they really need it. It will include new wide receivers and tight ends who can actually get open and catch the ball.
That’s what going for the gold signifies. But it is highly doubtful we’ll see it. Unless, unless the grizzled NFL genius in charge of the Patriots is ready to throw away the mold and move lock, stock and barrel into the future. That future could well begin on April 23, in less than three weeks with the selection of Jalen Hurts of Oklahoma as their next-generation star.
I’m looking forward to seeing what happens. Aren’t you? I can’t wait. I don’t expect this scenario to unfold with the Patriots. But, then again, you never know with them, do you? As I’ve noted before, the only thing to expect from this Patriots organization in personnel, the draft and in everything else really, is the unexpected.
The option to launch this football Delorean into the future and not ahead to the past is there. The old model is outdated and needs to be replaced.
Do the New England Patriots have the vision, the confidence, and the acumen in the 2020s NFL to evolve, to change and to usher in the next generation of success? That question will decide the future of the team for a decade or more. The answer will begin to emerge in three weeks. Stay tuned.