In order to prepare for the future, the Patriots spent a late fourth-round pick on Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham. There’s no way to tell if he is the quarterback of the future in Foxboro as age has not caught up to Brady, but there are reasons to be excited about the rookie. Just like any young quarterback in Foxboro, he’ll have the gift from learning under the greatest quarterback ever.
Stidham started his collegiate career at Baylor before transferring and ultimately ending up at Auburn. Although he missed the 2016 season, he still was able to accumulate impressive numbers throughout his college career and showed an innate intellect with the ball that can’t be taught. He only threw 13 interceptions over his three seasons, clearly displaying that he is smart with the ball. Not only is he able to make every throw in the book, but Stidham is also a capable rusher. The Auburn product doesn’t look to run first but is able to notice a collapsing pocket quite well for someone who hasn’t played a professional game.
While it’s hard to rank all the quarterbacks who were supposed to be the heir to Brady, it’s safe to say that Stidham is an interesting prospect. With a lackluster supporting cast around him at Auburn, scouts speculated that his best football is ahead of him. Also, Stidham played in the fierce SEC against some of the best teams in the country. If the rookie is able to adjust to the NFL game speed, he has the intangibles to succeed.
One quarterback that Stidham shares a lot of similarities with is former Patriot Jimmy Garoppolo. Both gunslingers have the confidence and toughness to stick out big hits in the pocket. They each are throw-first quarterbacks capable of dropping dimes but are able to bail out of the pocket by relying on their athleticism. Lastly, they are both workhorses who are willing to let others coach them. That last trait is a key to surviving as a member of the New England Patriots.
New England currently holds Tom Brady, Brian Hoyer, last year’s seventh-round pick Danny Etling, and Stidham. It’s safe to say that if Brady goes down, Hoyer would be the next man up. However, it wouldn’t be out of the question to see Stidham push for the number two job. Etling will most likely end up on the practice squad or Injured Reserve again, and although Hoyer is more experienced, the action and speed of professional gameplay will be something Stidham will need to adjust to.
With Stidham’s professional career just beginning, there’s no question to how far he can climb. It’s hard to place a value on how important the sage wisdom of Belichick and Brady will be to the young professional’s development and confidence. While he won’t receive much worthwhile gameplay this season, if any, the experience will be paramount to his success as a professional. There’s no way to tell if Stidham is Brady’s replacement, but it’s his job to win this season.
