The New England Patriots had unprecedented stability at quarterback for 19 years, and now they’re on the hunt for a signal-caller for the second straight offseason.
Whereas it’s nonetheless attainable that Cam Newton might return to the Patriots, it’s additionally not going if we’re being utterly sensible.
A variety of veteran sign callers are both set to hit free company this offseason or may very well be traded.
Listed below are the potential matches for the Patriots:
Dak Prescott
Free company/commerce
This one might be probably the most unlikely to return to fruition. Dallas retains jerking Prescott round, however likelihood is the Cowboys will franchise or re-sign Prescott earlier than the 2021 season.
However what in the event that they don’t? Or what if the Cowboys franchise Prescott after which need to flip round and commerce him?
Prescott is the one true potential franchise quarterback on this listing, and the Patriots have loads of cash to pay him if he comes accessible.
Matthew Stafford
Commerce
We’re really not fairly positive why the Detroit Lions would commerce Stafford, however the chance is raised regularly sufficient that the veteran QB is price discussing.
Stafford didn’t appear to jell effectively with former Lions, and Patriots defensive coordinator, Matt Patricia, however he’d present a gentle and constant presence underneath middle for the Patriots.
Carson Wentz
Commerce
Wentz will doubtless be probably the most divisive participant on this listing. He was the second general choose 5 years in the past, is harm inclined and coming off of a horrendous season that noticed him benched for Jalen Hurts, however he additionally led the NFL in QBR simply 4 years in the past and was at the very least an average-to-above common quarterback earlier than the 2020 season, when he was throwing to the likes of Philadelphia Eagles huge receivers Travis Fulgham, Greg Ward, Jalen Reagor and John Hightower.
The Patriots must resolve if Wentz is price round $25 million per season, however he’s definitely a buy-low candidate.
Jimmy Garoppolo
Commerce
This one most likely makes probably the most sense. Garoppolo was chosen within the second spherical of the 2014 NFL Draft, was traded for a second-round choose in 2017 and now may very well be again only one 12 months after Tom Brady left in free company. It might permit all the pieces to return full circle and get tied up in a reasonably little bow.
That being mentioned, Garoppolo is also harm inclined, and there’s a restrict to his ceiling, as evidenced by the truth that the San Francisco 49ers would possibly merely be keen to scrub their fingers and be achieved with him.
In a great world for the Patriots, Garoppolo will get reduce, and New England scoops him up on a one-year show it deal whereas additionally drafting a quarterback. The Patriots doubtless wouldn’t hand over greater than one other second-round choose in a commerce, nonetheless.
Jacoby Brissett
Free company
Talking of former Patriots. Brissett hasn’t actually confirmed himself as a reliable starter, however he may very well be a bridge choice to a rookie quarterback if the Patriots are capable of choose one within the first spherical of the 2021 NFL Draft. Brissett is aware of the system and is nice sufficient to start out if wanted.
Cam Newton
Free company
It’s attainable that Newton may very well be significantly higher with a full offseason within the Patriots’ system. Is it price taking that threat if it means one other misplaced season?
Re-signing Newton and drafting a quarterback might create an ungainly energy dynamic.
Ryan Fitzpatrick
Free company
Followers need New England to tug some Fitzmagic out of its hat this offseason, and I can’t actually inform if it’s real or a bit.
Fitzpatrick looks as if a enjoyable participant to look at. I’m not going to fake like he’d be the best choice on this listing, nonetheless. The Patriots would additionally want to pick a quarterback within the first spherical of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Sam Darnold
Commerce
The Jets ought to take a quarterback with the second general choose within the 2021 NFL Draft and commerce Darnold. However what’s he price?
Darnold has been a beneath common quarterback in yards per try, web yards per try, adjusted yards per try, adjusted web yards per try, completion proportion, landing price, interception price, sack price and passer score in all three seasons of his NFL profession, by which he’s gone 13-25 as a starter.
Possibly you hand over a mid-round choose for Darnold as a flyer that he improves with higher teaching, however there’s nothing to essentially recommend that he generally is a high quality NFL starter.
Mitchell Trubisky
Free Company
Trubisky’s been higher since returning because the Chicago Bears’ starter in Week 12 with a 96 passer score and 70.1 completion proportion.
He was the second general choose simply 4 years in the past, however he’s been a middling or worse quarterback in that span. Possibly you’re taking a shot on him as a high-upside backup, however that’s about it.
Tyrod Taylor
Free Company
Taylor has some powerful luck, having been handed on the quarterback depth chart early in his final two stints with the Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Chargers by Baker Mayfield and Justin Herbert.
If the Patriots wish to signal a veteran, take a QB within the draft and play the rookie early, then Taylor’s monitor document says he’s their man.
Jameis Winston
Free Company
Winston threw simply 11 passes this season behind Drew Brees after which Taysom Hill. He can’t be considered as greater than a backup or bridge choice in 2021, and the Patriots didn’t present any curiosity in him final offseason. We are able to’t think about something has modified since.
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