Jarrett Stidham has appeared in five games this season, but hasn't been given the chance to start.
His latest appearance came in the 38-9 loss to the Bills Monday night when he replaced Cam Newton in the third quarter. Stidham went 4-for-11 passing with 44 yards in the quarter-plus of action.
It's hard to truly evaluate him as a quarterback since he's only been given the chance to play in mop-up duty and hasn't yet had a full week to prepare as the starter.
So, would he like that to happen in Week 17 against the Jets?
“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. "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.”
As for if he feels he could perform better with more reps in practice, the second-year player did not want to make any excuses.
“Like I said, that is completely out of my control," he said. "Whatever reps I do get in practice, I try and make the most of those. Like I said, if I get into the game and an opportunity, I try and make the most of that. I can’t really control those types of things.”
Despite the struggles all year at the position, Bill Belichick has stuck with Cam Newton, but after what he saw Monday and the team being mathematically eliminated from the postseason, perhaps this is the week the coach changes his mind and turns the keys to the offense over to Stidham.
