For those who are assuming Jarrett Stidham will be the Patriots' starter in 2020... not so fast.
Speaking on a pre-draft conference call Monday, when discussing the quarterback position and Stidham, it appeared Bill Belichick acknowledged there would be a competition for the job whenever the team is able to get on the field this summer.
"We spent quite a bit of time with both Brian (Hoyer) and Stid," Belichick said. "I think we have a pretty good — (Josh McDaniels) and myself — we have a pretty good feel for both of those players. Circumstances will be different this year. We'll see how everything plays out, but again, to start with, I think the main thing is to give everyone a chance to compete, to get people comfortable with the position and the skills that they're playing, the communication that's involved.
"We'll evaluate the players as we get an opportunity to evaluate them. So, right now, the spring is about teaching the best that we can. At whatever point we get a chance to get on the field and participate and play, that's what we'll do. Not sure exactly how that's going to go. Once we figure it out, then we'll go from there."
It's unlikely the team will go into the summer with just two quarterbacks, so there's an expectation either a free agent or player via the draft will be added.
Some assumed since Stidham was a fourth-round pick last year, the team would want to give him the chance to be the starter in 2020 to see what he has, but Belichick seems keen on going with whoever gives the team the best chance to win, whether that is the second-year player or not.
Belichick and the Patriots haven't had a quarterback competition since 2001 when he ultimately went with Tom Brady over Drew Bledsoe.
