On the surface, at least based on the way reps are being split early in training camp, the Patriots have an open quarterback competition between star newcomer Cam Newton, returning youngster Jarrett Stidham and journeyman veteran Brian Hoyer.
In theory Bill Belichick will have to decide between now and the Sept. 13 opener against the Dolphins at Gillette Stadium which guy is going to earn the right to be named the New England starter and replace departed GOAT Tom Brady under center for the defending AFC East champs.
But does Belichick absolutely have to make that decision? Is there even a slight chance the veteran coach could choose to continue to prepare and even use multiple quarterbacks heading into the 2020 season?
During a Wednesday morning video call with the local reporters, Belichick didn’t completely shoot down the idea of a “platoon-style” QB depth chart.
“It might,” potentially benefit the team, Belichick admitted. “I always say I’ll do what’s best for the team, what gives us the best chance to win. So, whatever that is I would certainly consider that. If it’s running unbalanced line or double unbalanced line or 23 personnel or whatever it is. If it helps us win then I would consider anything.”
Certainly the possibility of splitting the post-Brady load at quarterback is a longshot, though, as elsewhere in his morning virtual meeting with the media Belichick admitted that at some point in the coming weeks the practice reps at quarterback might be altered to a more traditional breakdown between a starter and his backups.
“Obviously there is some point where that is going to happen,” Belichick said of getting a quarterback ready to be the Week 1 starter. “But right now we want to try to, like I said, give everybody an opportunity to get the basics. We’re really doing that at all the positions. Everybody’s rotating through and we’re trying to give everybody an opportunity to run the basic plays, get the basic fundamentals down. Of course at some point we’ll have to (break in audio) not equalize the reps, that’s obvious. But we’re not there now.”
So for now, the open and seemingly equal competition between Newton, Stidham and Hoyer continues.
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