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New England Patriots: Evaluating AFC East quarterback competition

By Michael DeVito

HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 05: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots raises the Vince Lombardi trophy after the Patriots defeat the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime of Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 05: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots raises the Vince Lombardi trophy after the Patriots defeat the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime of Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
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New England Patriots
Jarrett Stidham #4 of the New England Patriots (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Jarrett Stidham

I won’t go into the New England Patriots quarterback situation in any detail here. It is well-known that contrary to popular expectations (including mine) the Patriots did not draft a quarterback in 2020 even though they had lost the best ever, Tom Brady to free agency.

What they have on the roster now is Jarrett Stidham, a second-year quarterback who has thrown a whopping total of 4 NFL passes previously and journeyman Brian Hoyer along with 2 rookie undrafted free agents.

This writer has expressed great disappointment with both the lack of addressing this position and the Patriots’ not going in the RPO direction in the draft into the new era of NFL quarterbacks. But they failed to even add any quarterback to challenge the heir-apparent to Tom Brady, Jarrett Stidham. I think it was a horrendous decision. A terrible mistake.

So, where are we then in sizing up the quarterback situation in the AFC East. Here’s my take on the situation, grading from best to worst:

  1. Buffalo Bills: I think Buffalo has a very good young quarterback in Allen and has drafted well. I think their overall situation makes them the favorite in the AFC East.
  2. Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins have the trump card in the entire AFC East. If he can play and if they play him, I think Tua will be a terrific asset to the Dolphins immediately.  They will improve substantially.
  3. New York Jets: The Jets have a quarterback who is improving, but not yet capable of taking them to the playoffs. Adding Becton and Mims is pouring a good foundation. But they are not ready to make a move at present.
  4. New England Patriots: New England’s reliance on an untested Jarrett Stidham (and their defense) is a super risk. They didn’t even bring in any real competition to test him. I am not expecting much from them especially since their wide receiving corps is also weak, their tight ends are untested rookies and their running backs are mediocre. Prospects on offense are not good.

So that’s my analysis of the AFC quarterback situation after the departure of Tom Brady. Buffalo is in the lead there and in the lead for the Divison title, but only at the moment.

Miami has the potential to streak ahead and stay there for years. I really like where they are headed.

Next. New England Patriot fans can finally afford tickets. dark

Meanwhile, the New England Patriots have taken a monumental step backward and I see no real opportunity for them to excel in 2020.

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