1. When it comes to the Patriots quarterback position, all everyone is talking about is Cam Newton and Mac Jones. But what about Jarrett Stidham? Stidham is entering his third season and in his limited playing time last year looked relatively decent, albeit in mop-up duty. So, what’s the best-case scenario for the Auburn product, both personally and for the Patriots? It’s likely doing enough during training camp and the preseason to get traded prior to the start of the regular season. With Jones as the quarterback of the future and Newton as well as Brian Hoyer on the roster, there doesn’t seem to be a real role for Stidham with the Patriots. Even if Jones is the starter and Newton is released, there’s still Hoyer. And then if Newton is the starter, Jones would be the backup. It seems Stidham would benefit from being on a different team. Ideally, the Patriots would look for something similar to what happened with Jacoby Brissett in 2017 when he was traded to the Colts for wide receiver Phillip Dorsett. The Patriots benefited by getting a receiver drafted in the first round, while the Colts benefitted by getting a young quarterback. Brissett was traded following throwing for 340 yards and four touchdowns, while adding another on the ground in the preseason finale against the Giants. A strong preseason performance like that would certainly help boost Stidham’s value on the trade market. So while everyone will be focusing on Jones and Newton this summer, Stidham’s situation is also one that bares watching because it just doesn’t feel like there’s a place for him on the roster come Week 1.
2. Also, with the bulk of the attention with the Patriots going to the quarterbacks, the defense is getting overlooked. With Dont’a Hightower along with Kyle Van Noy returning, to go along with the additions of Matt Judon and the veterans along the defensive line, the unit has the potential to be among the best in the league. No matter who the quarterback is, it feels the defense will be the unit leaned on the most and it isn’t being talked about enough.
3. We continue to push for the team to add another body to the receiver position. While it's solid with depth, it just feels like it lacks a true dependable NFL veteran who can be depended on. There obviously aren't many of those still available, but the Patriots should really consider adding one between now and the end of July.
4. With Gillette Stadium getting a new video board and then it being ranked 23rd among NFL stadiums by USA Today this week, it’s a reminder that it’s getting up there in terms of being one of the older ones in the league. It opened in 2002, so almost 20 years ago, which is pretty crazy to think about. We’re not saying a new one needs to be built by any means, rather just pointing out how old it really is in comparison to the rest of the NFL.
5. The Buccaneers announced late last week their training camp sessions will only be open to VIP season ticket members and sponsors, not the general public. It will be interesting to see what will happen with the Patriots in this regard, as nothing has been formally announced at this time. The expectation is there will be fans, but it remains unclear who will be invited and how many.
6. With the Red Sox holding a ceremony for Dustin Pedroia over the weekend, it got us thinking will the Patriots do something for Julian Edelman this coming season? As an organization it usually doesn’t do those types of things, but Edelman could be the exception, especially since he is retired. It wouldn’t be anything crazy, just recognizing him at halftime of a home game. We shall see.
7. If there are any opt outs for the 2021 season, players have until July 2 to decide. At this moment, it wouldn’t seem like there will be any members of the Patriots opting out, but you never know. Just something to keep in mind as the date approaches.