Leading up to training camp, WEEI.com has been taking a position-by-position look at the Patriots rebuilt roster heading into 2021. What’s the depth chart look like? What’s the biggest question at each position? How might the competition at each spot unfold this summer under Bill Belichick’s watchful eye? Today we focus on the quarterback spot and the high-profile competition between Cam Newton and Mac Jones.
Quarterback
Roster: Cam Newton, Mac Jones, Jarrett Stidham, Brian Hoyer
Key Additions: Jones (1st RD, Alabama)
Key Losses: None
Predicted Starters: Jones
Notes: Stidham was placed on PUP prior to the start of training camp with an undisclosed injury, though he did not miss time when the media was in attendance this spring at OTAs or minicamp. … Newton started 15 games in 2020, his first season in New England after the former NFL MVP and No.
1 overall pick was released by the Panthers. … Newton completed 242 of 368 passes (65.8 percent) for 2,657 yards with just eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions for an 82.9 passer rating that ranked 28th in the NFL. … Newton also ran the ball 137 times for 592 yards (4.3 avg.) with 12 touchdowns. … The journeyman veteran Hoyer started in Week 3 in Kansas City with Newton sidelined to COVID and struggled. … The former fourth-round pick Stidham has not started a game in his first two NFL seasons. … Stidham did see mop-up duty for Hoyer and Newton in five games in 2020, completing 22 of 44 passes for 256 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions for a 54.7 passer rating. … Jones completed 311 of 402 passes (77.4 percent) for 4,500 yards with 41 touchdowns and just four interceptions last fall in his only season as the full-time starter at Alabama. He led the Tide to the national title with a 13-0 record, including a 52-24 win over Ohio State to take home the championship. … New England’s 12 total touchdown passes in 2020 were the fewest from the team since Hugh Millen and Co.
had just 11 in 1991.
Biggest Question: Is Bill Belichick willing to go with first-round rookie Mac Jones as his starting quarterback, a trust he’s put in so many top picks at other positions over the years?
Snapshot Analysis: Mac or Cam? Cam or Mac? The same three letters forming two different names, both guys with an eye on the Patriots starting QB job heading into 2021. Only one man will be left standing when training camp concludes and New England takes on the Dolphins in the season opener come Sept. 12. While Tom Brady took his ageless talents to Tampa Bay last fall to bring a Super Bowl win for the Bucs, New England struggled in its first season without the GOAT under center. While there were other problems on the offense, including an obvious lack of talent at both tight end and wide receiver, Newton was at the center of the dismal production. A late arrival as a free agent and limited in his preparation, Newton actually got off to a decent start in the first two weeks. Then he got COVID and things never seemed to recover for either him or the offense as a unit. The reality is that eight passing touchdowns is just simply unacceptable for a modern passing attack and any quarterback. Newton’s decision making, accuracy and timing were not good enough, which he has admitted. The question at this point in his career, given all the wear, tear and injuries, is whether Newton can still throw the ball well enough and compete at even an average NFL level. Or, is he only a power runner these days? The doubts and doubters are warranted. Jones arrives after an elite season statistically and in terms of winning for Nick Saban. He’s heady, hard-working and accurate, but doesn’t really have any wow-worthy physical tools. He’s been compared to Brady by some, including former Patriots offensive coordinator Charlie Weis. Others think he has suspect skills. Time will tell whether he was more a product of the talent around him at Alabama or a real-deal game manager at the position. While those two are expected to have a two-man battle for the starting job, Stidham is the forgotten man. He was the perceived heir to Brady for a time last spring. Then Newton arrived and Stidham never got a start, even with the veteran’s struggles and New England being eliminated from the postseason. It was curious at best. Hoyer is now more of a mentor and coach on the field than competitor. So, is Belichick ready to turn things over to a rookie? Is he remaining loyal beyond reason to Newton? Could both be an option in various situations, as former Patriots defender and current ESPN analyst Rob Ninkovich has guaranteed? Will there be a passing of the torch at some point during the season? Will Jones ride the bench all year unless Newton gets injured, as NFLN told WEEI this spring? Who will be under center for the huge game when Brady returns to town in Week 4? So many questions at the quarterback spot in New England, which is never ideal for any NFL team heading into a new season. That’s especially true in place that thanks to Brady and Drew Bledsoe essentially had franchise QB stability for nearly three decades.
Position Rating: Questionable
