Patriots: What Brian Hoyer signing means for QB room

To the surprise of many across Patriots nation, New England has yet again signed Brian Hoyer to a  one-year deal. The details of the contract have not been released, but the 35-year-old veteran will be another arm for spring and training camp.

Fans and media members have been trying to make sense of the signing since it was first reported. Some don’t think it makes sense, some think they just want another guy to throw in practice, and some think a cut could be coming as training camp unfolds this summer.

Cam Newton, for now, is the starting quarterback, and Mac Jones is (and should be) the projected backup to Newton, leaving Hoyer and Stidham to battle for the final seat in the quarterback room.

We saw both play last year when Cam went down with COVID, and the results were, well, terrible. Hoyer appeared in one game as the starter in Week 4 against the Chiefs, throwing for 130 yards and an interception with a QBR of 28.2. He took a costly sack right before halftime, forcing the Patriots’ offense out of field goal range after having an opportunity to tie the game heading into the locker room.

More from Chowder and Champions

• 3 Patriots on the Bubble Who Have Clinched Their 53-Man Roster Spots
• 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

Jarrett Stidham wasn’t much better than Hoyer. His first appearance also came in Week 4, where he threw for 60 yards on 5/13 passing, one touchdown, two interceptions, and a QBR of 31.2. He would appear in four games after that, totaling 196 yards through the air with a completion percentage of 58.6, one touchdown, one interception, and a QBR of 29.7.

The one thing we never saw Jarrett do? Start.

Many fans were begging to see Stidham start as the season reached its end. He only saw playing time when the game was out of reach, or the Patriots had already locked up the win. We never saw him get a full week of starter reps in practice, leaving us to wonder what the kid could do with a full week of preparation.

Now that Hoyer is back in the building, does that spell the end for the Stidham era? I’m not sure.

Why Jarrett Stidham could stay with the Patriots

Bill Belichick obviously has some sort of crush on Hoyer. This is the fourth contract he’s signed with the team, and he hasn’t shown much on the field to warrant those deals. He’s a solid back-up to have, and a good voice for the locker room that understands the system, but when it comes to producing on the field, it’s nothing special.

To be honest, we haven’t seen much production from Stidham, either. He threw a nice touchdown to N’Keal Harry in the Chiefs game last year, and added another one to Gunner Olszewski in the routing of the Chargers.

But outside of those two throws, it’s been forgettable.

Putting aside the idea of Bill carrying four quarterbacks for the first time since 2000, I think it will come down to two options. One, Hoyer gets cut as the roster moves down to 53. Or two, Hoyer stays on the roster heading into the season and the Patriots try to deal Stidham for a late round draft pick to a team that will be patient in his development.

I think Stidham has the tools to progress as his career moves on, but right now, he’s third in line on this roster as it pertains to talent. This same reasoning makes him a better trade piece than Hoyer, who I don’t think would fetch anything on the market. The upside with Hoyer is more based on veteran leadership, and the potential to be a solid mentor for Jones.

On the other hand, I think Stidham could make for a great leader as well. This off-season, he’s put together “Patriots West”, having the team’s pass catchers meet him in California to get some work in before camp.

He’s been a great teacher for those guys, and has already developed friendships with the new additions. Not to mention his first mentor in the league was Tom Brady, who’s leadership is undeniable.

It will be interesting to see who’s the odd man out when it comes down to roster shredding later this year. But I think we can all agree, one of those two guys will no longer be wearing a Patriots jersey come Week 1 against the Dolphins.