Patriots 2021 Position Preview: Setting the stage for the quarterback battle

Author Matt Dolloff

July 12th, 2021 8:00 AM

The Patriots have a vastly improved roster for 2021, but the biggest question remains at the most important position on the field.

Who’s the starting quarterback in New England? The answer may be more definitive to Bill Belichick than to anyone else. “Cam’s our quarterback,” the head coach declared once again, taking the corner of Cam Newton mere hours after selecting Alabama quarterback Mac Jones in the first round of the 2021 draft in April. But will that declaration stand into another September?

The Patriots will take the field for 2021 training camp with four quarterbacks still in tow, after re-signing veteran Brian Hoyer and retaining 2019 fourth-round pick Jarrett Stidham to start his third year. After a mixed bag of performances for all of them, the answer as to the 2021 starter may be murkier than ever – especially how it may look later in the season.

Here’s a preview of the quarterback position for the 2021 Patriots, with training camp less than two weeks away.

• The Incumbent

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  Newton not only has Belichick's word, he has the head coach's actions on his side, too. Upon returning from a reported bone bruise on his hand, Newton led team drills at quarterback, with Jones one spot behind him most of the time.
  
  Despite an obvious improvement in the receiving talent around Newton - especially at tight end, where Newton has historically had success connecting with legitimate pass-catchers - the quarterback had problems of his own in 2020. If he can't correct or improve upon his issues with throwing accuracy, ball security, protection-setting, and game management, then improved weapons can only take the Pats offense so far.
  
  And even if Newton shows marked improvement in those areas, the big question is whether he can put it all together and do it all on a week-to-week basis. That's the overriding factor for Newton to hold off Jones for his entire rookie season.
  
  It'll be hard to tell how much better Newton looks until he's in real game situations, but assuming good health, that looks like the spot where he'll find himself in Week 1. Ostensibly, there are only two options for Newton: starter, or off the roster. He'll hit camp on track to be closer to the former.

• The Kid

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  Even if it's becoming more common around the NFL for teams to start rookie quarterbacks in Week 1, does that sound like something Belichick wants to do? He didn't even start Tom Brady until he had to, after the start of his sophomore season. Despite the obvious expectations that a first-round pick eventually starts games, Jones' only hope of starting Week 1 may be an injury or absolutely disastrous start for Newton.
  
  And even if Jones does have to sit to start his rookie season, that wouldn't necessarily mean he's not already "better" than Newton. He could look perfect in practice, but Belichick may still look at him and say he's not ready to execute in a real game. Patrick Mahomes surely made a lot of plays in his first training camp, too.
  
  Not that Jones is going to be anything close to Mahomes. He's not that kind of athlete. He'll need to rely on precision passing from the pocket, while making the right decisions quickly. But that skill set is a better fit for what the Patriots want to do in the passing game than Newton ever was or will be. And Belichick most certainly wants to give Jones as much time to develop as he can.
  
  Prediction? Barring an early injury to Newton, the earliest Jones makes his first career start is Week 10. Home, 1 p.m., Cleveland Browns. Newton holds onto the job through Week 9 at his former team in Carolina. The Patriots' roster is improved enough on both sides of the ball that they are winning games, and Belichick can afford to let Jones marinate. But considering Jones' seemingly rapid development, expect him to make the QB competition interesting in training camp.

• The Enigma

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  If Jarrett Stidham is really that bad, why is he still here? Belichick wanted to keep him in the fold entering training camp for some reason. So until Stidham is out the door, and the one for the starting QB job is wide open, then the third-year pro out of Auburn should be considered a factor.
  
  Maybe a microscopic factor. But Stidham has the edge over Jones in literal NFL experience. He'll still be just 25 years old at the start of the season. And he's also a passer with more of a skill set that fits the Pats' system more than Newton. Stidham even had a day to shine at one of the Patriots' practices open to reporters, assuming the most reps and playing well on the day Newton was injured.
  
  Despite that, Stidham clearly didn't do enough to truly separate himself in any way in OTAs or minicamp. His relief appearances in 2020 had mixed results. The Patriots are hoping that, if anything, Stidham is the confident signal-caller who passed the eye test and posted a 149.3 QB rating against the Chargers - and not the guy who went 5-for-13 with two turnovers and a 39.4 rating against the Chiefs in Week 4.
  
  Say Newton ends up off the main roster for one reason or another. Can Stidham show enough progress to fend off Jones and become the early starter? It's a relative long shot, but something worth considering as long as Stidham is around in the first place.
• The Journeyman

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  Brian Hoyer remains in New England for his third stint with the Patriots - his fourth, if you count the brief time he spent as a free agent in the 2021 offseason. He's definitely here, at the very least, as an extension of the coaching staff, someone to help Jones along.
  
  Could Hoyer possibly, actually be here with the possibility of starting? Does Belichick want to put as many barriers between Jones and the starting gig as he can? Because it seems unfathomable that Hoyer would see the field again in a Patriots uniform after his egregious outing against the Chiefs.
  
  But after a performance like that, it's surprising that Hoyer is getting the uniform back at all. Belichick obviously didn't see that game as an offense worthy of moving on from Hoyer for good. And even if Belichick only intended to bring Hoyer back just to be a mentor for the kid, is that what Hoyer is in this for?
  
  It's a lot of questions with no real answers for the veteran. At this point, it would be stunning if he found his way to the top of the depth chart. But considering the overall situation, he at least has the right to compete for the job as long as he has his spot on the roster.

Patriots training camp practices kick off Wednesday, July 28, and will include open access to the public. The first open practices will run from July 28-31.

• NFL: New England Patriots Minicamp

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  Jun 16, 2021; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (50) reacts during the New England Patriots mini camp at the New England Patriots practice complex. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

• NFL: New England Patriots Minicamp

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  Jun 16, 2021; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (50) reacts during the New England Patriots mini camp at the New England Patriots practice complex. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

• NFL: New England Patriots Minicamp

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  Jun 16, 2021; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (50) stretches during the New England Patriots mini camp at the New England Patriots practice complex. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
• NFL: New England Patriots Minicamp

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  Jun 16, 2021; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (50) participates in a drill during the New England Patriots mini camp at the New England Patriots practice complex. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

• NFL: New England Patriots Minicamp

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  Jun 15, 2021; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (50) participates in a drill during the New England Patriots mini camp at the New England Patriots practice complex. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

• NFL: New England Patriots Minicamp

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  Jun 16, 2021; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick reacts during the New England Patriots mini camp at the New England Patriots practice complex. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
• NFL: New England Patriots Minicamp

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  Jun 15, 2021; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton (1) arrives during the New England Patriots mini camp at the New England Patriots practice complex. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

• NFL: New England Patriots Minicamp

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  Jun 16, 2021; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton (1) participates in a drill during the New England Patriots mini camp at the New England Patriots practice complex. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

• NFL: New England Patriots Minicamp

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  Jun 15, 2021; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton (1) participates in drills during the New England Patriots mini camp at the New England Patriots practice complex. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
• NFL: New England Patriots Minicamp

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  Jun 15, 2021; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton (1) and wide receiver Gunner Olszewski (80) react during the New England Patriots mini camp at the New England Patriots practice complex. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

• NFL: New England Patriots Minicamp

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  Jun 15, 2021; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Jarrett Stidham (4) participates in a drill during the New England Patriots mini camp at the New England Patriots practice complex. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

• NFL: New England Patriots OTA

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  Jun 10, 2021; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Brian Hoyer (5) participates in drills during OTAs at the New England Patriots practice complex.

MORE: Patriots Announce Public Training Camp Practices

Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @mattydsays. You can also email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.

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Author Matt Dolloff

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