When it comes to addressing the quarterback position this offseason, the Patriots may have an issue with timing.
It’s obvious they need to address the position, but the problem is some of the best options may not become available until around the draft — either in the draft or players who become available via trade. But, the Patriots cannot wait until then because there’s a chance things don’t work out the way they might hope.
For example, what if the Patriots are hoping Jimmy Garoppolo becomes available and he doesn’t? Or if they want to select a QB high in the draft and all the top names are gone by the time the Patriots are on the clock?
That would not be good because then they would be in a position like last offseason when they added Cam Newton so close to training camp.
Appearing on The Rich Eisen Show Wednesday, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer explained what the Patriots could do in order to help with the timing issue of things.
“The timing part of this, and this applies to a lot of teams by the way, the timing part of this and what they want to do is absolutely a factor,” he said. “It wouldn’t surprise me if they bring back Cam [Newton] on a cheap contract, and they have another veteran there, whether it’s Ryan Fitzpatrick or a Marcus Mariota, or whatever, and then they continue evaluating the quarterbacks in the draft.
“Again, I think if Jimmy [Garoppolo] were to become available tomorrow, yeah, absolutely they would go and do something like that. But, I think the more likely scenario there right now would be maybe throw a couple veterans at the position, continue to do your evaluation of all the guys in the draft and who knows, maybe one of them falls to No. 15, maybe you see someone you like enough to move up. But, I think for right now, the Patriots are going to be very aggressive at some other positions and it wouldn’t surprise me if they just try and give themselves a couple of veteran options to tread water with for the time being.”
This would make sense because adding a veteran over the next month or so at least guarantees they have someone in place and they aren’t totally depending on things working in their favor around the draft.
Is this ideal? Absolutely not, but it ultimately comes down to there just aren’t many great options for the Patriots right now and it’s in their best interest to give themselves as many options as possible.
