New England Patriots: Every reason Jarrett Stidham should start Week 17

Why Jarrett Stidham should get the start for the New England Patriots in Week 17.

The New England Patriots should start second-year quarterback Jarrett Stidham in Week 17 against the New York Jets and the reason is clear and simple.

Enter the final week of the 2020 NFL season, Bill Belichick and the Patriots will not be preparing for the playoffs.  Instead, they will be playing for the 2021 season and to see what they have in some of the younger players on the team.  That does include Stidham, who absolutely would love to start in the final game of the season.

"“I think everybody in the game of football wants to be playing every single week.  Yeah, I would absolutely love to have that opportunity, but again, that’s not in my control and I am not going to focus on it,” Stidham said, as transcribed by WEEI.  “That’s not going to change the way I prepare.  I prepare like I’m the starter even going back to last year.  That’s how I’ve always prepared each and every week.  That’s not going to change my mindset and I am just going to keep grinding and get better next week.”More from Chowder and Champions3 Patriots on the Bubble Who Have Clinched Their 53-Man Roster Spots3 Midseason Chaim Bloom Decisions That Have Killed the 2023 Red Sox10 Patriots Who Will Be Cut by Tuesday’s Roster DeadlineMLB Screws Red Sox Fans With Broadcast for Mookie Betts Return3 Most Underpaid Celtics Heading Into the 2023 Season"

Whether there are plans to bring Cam Newton back or not, the Patriots simply need to see what they do have in Stidham as a potential starting quarterback.  Not only do they need to evaluate him in a full game, but they also need to see what they have in some of their playmakers, particularly the tight ends and N’Keal Harry.

Stidham, not Cam Newton, would be the better quarterback as far as getting the ball down field.  He also seems more intent when he is under center in distributing the ball around.  That is the kind of quarterback the team needs if they are to evaluate to see what they have in players like Devin Asiasi, Dalton Keene and Gunner Olszewski.

Not to say Newton couldn’t do the same if the game plan called for it, but he is clearly limited in getting the ball downfield and is more apt to take off with his feet.  Stidham, while also able to scramble out of the pocket, is a pass first quarterback who seems to have chemistry with players like N’Keal Harry and Olszewski.

As far as the New England Patriots offense in 2021, they really need to see what these players can bring to the table.  They also need to find out if Jarrett Stidham is not an answer going into the offseason.  So, besides the team really having nothing to play as far as record goes, Belichick has every reason to start Stidham.

In all, it’s really not about how bad Cam Newton has been, but more about building for next season and seeing which players can produce in this offense.  It is obvious they will need to go out and get some playmakers, but they could have one or two already on the team.