New England Patriots: Kliff Kingsbury ‘fired up’ for Jarrett Stidham
The New England Patriots are rolling with second-year quarterback Jarrett Stidham and the praise continues to mount on his ability.
Like it or not, Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots are content with giving second-year quarterback Jarrett Stidham and opportunity to be the Tom Brady successor.
After the team did not draft a quarterback in the 2020 NFL Draft, actually passing on a couple of quarterbacks they were linked to, the word around the NFL is that the Patriots feel the Auburn product is ready.
One NFL coach is actually “fired up” that Stidham is getting his opportunity.
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Appearing on Ordway, Merloni & Fauria, Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kinsbury was asked specifically about Stidham and what he had to say should be music to the ears of Patriots fans.
"“I have actually known Jarrett Stidham a long time. I recruited Jarrett Stidham to Texas Tech,” Kingsbury said, via WEEI. “He was committed to me for about a year, and so I have always had a high regard of him as a player and as a person. I know they are very high on him up there in New England. I am excited to watch him play. I cheer for Texas kids and I think he has the ability.”"
Kingsbury acknowledge replacing the great Tom Brady would be hard, but under offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, the Cardinals head coach believes Stidham’s talent will be developed properly.
As a five-star recruit, Jarrett Stidham does have the ability to be something special. If it wasn’t for a down year at Auburn, he may have been a first-round pick which means the New England Patriots may have found themselves a steal and actually drafted Tom Brady’s successor in 2019.
Unless Bill Belichick shocks the world and signs Cam Newton, Stidham will get his opportunity in 2020 and Kliff Kingsbury is very excited to see him get that chance.
"“Tremendous skill set, great young man,” he continued. “I am really fired up for him to get his opportunity.”"
With his own young quarterback in Kyler Murray, it is encouraging to hear another NFL head coach praise the ability of the second-year quarterback.
Where Jarrett Stidham ranks on young quarterbacks confidence rankings
Speaking of Kyler Murray, the Arizona Cardinals second-year quarterback ranked just behind Lamar Jackson on the NFL Young Quarterback Confidence rankings, a ranking of the most and least trusted QBs from the last three drafts as far as team’s faith in those quarterbacks.
With Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and the top two quarterbacks selected in the 2020 NFL Draft in Tua Tagovailoa and Joe Burrow rounding out the top 5, Jarrett Stidham came in at No. 9 on the list just behind Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Here’s what Jason La Canfora had to say about Stidham:
"“Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels really like this kid and think he is a winner and, at worst, would have or should have been the third or fourth QB taken in the 2020 draft if he were in it. They love what he showed last offseason and preseason learning the offense. He needs better WR and TEs than New England has right now, but this staff believes they can make it work, and given their resume developing QBs, I wouldn’t bet against him.”"
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In all, the ranking is fair considering where Stidham was drafted and the fact that his only memorable snap in an NFL regular-season game was a pick-six against the New York Jets.
Along with Kiff Kingsbury’s praise, it is becoming apparent that there is more belief around the NFL in Jarrett Stidham that extends well beyond Foxborough.