The Patriots’ training camp quarterback competition was brief.
Cam Newton took an early lead, then took over. The Pats quickly molded their offense around his skill set, adding option runs that have unlocked the NFL’s best rushing attack. Meanwhile, Jarrett Stidham dealt with turnovers and then an injury over his summer and has seen only mop-up duty during the regular season.
But considering Newton’s struggles last week, and the fact that three of the worst games of his career have come as a Patriot, might it be worth exploring whatever potential Stidham might be harboring? Even amid his inconsistencies, Newton is a known commodity. Within this offense, he’s a top-12 quarterback on good days and one of the league’s worst starters on bad ones.
But what might Stidham provide as a starter, having only played 60 offensive snaps in his entire pro career? And would it be worth starting him if Newton continues to play poorly?
The Herald’s Patriots beat writers debate.
Callahan: In a word: no. There’s no available evidence that Stidham should start in the NFL, especially for a team that intends to make the postseason, no matter the odds. One out of Stidham’s every seven pass attempts has been intercepted, an unplayable, disastrous rate. Even excluding his Julian Edelman-assisted pick at Kansas City, Stidham’s interception rate falls to 11%, which would still lead the league by an ugly mile. Not to mention his 48% completion percentage. Newton beat him in camp, then Stidham was demoted to the No. 3 job for the opener and couldn’t even start at KC. Stick with Newton, who’s had four solid games the past five weeks.
Guregian: The Patriots are in must-win territory. They need to put the players out there who give them the best chance to win. And given the Jekyll-and-Hyde nature of Newton’s play, his inability to make the simplest throws, not to mention his inability to pick up blitzes and make the proper reads at the line, it’s time to go to the bullpen. The Patriots need a quarterback who can make the necessary throws, and hit receivers. Right now, Stidham seems a better option. When you talk about available evidence, the Stidham sample size is based on coming off the bench. Give him a full week in practice with starter reps, and see what happens. He can’t be any worse than what was on display last week.
Callahan: And what message would that send? After one bad game, Newton gets pulled for someone who was bad enough to be a healthy scratch this season? Over the four weeks before the Pats beat Arizona, Newton rated as the NFL’s fourth-best passer, per Pro Football Focus, ahead of Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady and Russell Wilson; proof he’d overcome his bout with COVID-19 and made real progress. Bad games happen. By this logic, the entire Pats defense should’ve been benched after the Houston loss. Instead, they bounced back with their best performance of 2020 against Arizona. Look for Newton to do something similar Sunday. A former fourth-rounder who couldn’t beat him in training camp despite 15 extra months in the system isn’t the answer.
Guregian: One bad game? Are you kidding? Did you watch the Broncos and Niners games? How about the Bills game, where Newton fumbled on the potential game-winning drive? Or the fact Bill Belichick did not give him a chance to make one last attempt at the end zone on a third down play in the red zone? He sent out Nick Folk on third down. This isn’t a 1-game sample of inept quarterback play. It’s been on display throughout the season. This is a quarterback Belichick and Josh McDaniels don’t trust. They’re using a remedial offense because Cam still doesn’t know the playbook, or isn’t capable of executing it. More can be done with Stidham given his skillset and knowledge of the offense.
Callahan: “Doesn’t know the playbook” is a gross, gross exaggeration. And again, what good has Stidham’s knowledge done him? He lost the job, got demoted and has yet to complete 50% his career passes — over two years! He’s been downright horrible. And so what if Stidham’s come off the bench? That means he’s faced backups on defense in blowouts, who still bested him! Meanwhile, Newton has been the 19th-best quarterback this season, per PFF, despite inconsistent practice time, a COVID-19 diagnosis and the NFL’s worst weapons. His best football has come in the last 5 weeks. That’s far more relevant that what happened in October. This has been obvious to us, Belichick and anyone watching since August: Newton is the Pats’ best quarterback, and it’s not even close.
Guregian: Use your eyes. Both Stidham and Brian Hoyer have looked more comfortable with the offense under center. Newton still doesn’t look like a confident quarterback. Not having a full grasp of the offense does that. Newton’s admitted as much, and that’s impacted both the play calls, which are basic, and how those calls have played out. Between that, and continued poor mechanics throwing the football, the offense is easy to defend. Totally agree Newton has been impacted by inconsistent practice time, a COVID-19 diagnosis, poor weapons and so on. But it’s Week 13. He should be past that. Stinkers like last week shouldn’t happen. And not even close with Cam being the best quarterback? How sad is that declaration? Stidham can’t possibly be any worse than bad Cam, and there’s a chance he’ll be better. Time is running out.
Callahan: Can’t be worse than Cam? He has literally been worse by every single statistical measure. And you don’t even have to listen to me. Try Belichick or McDaniels. They’ve seen them every week of practice and not only stuck with Newton, but started Hoyer ahead of Stidham two months ago. And my eyes tell me Newton looks comfortable enough making adjustments and checks at the line, which he’s done. Of course, he hasn’t mastered the playbook in a half a year. But mastery isn’t the point. It’s playing football. And football isn’t played on a whiteboard. It’s on the field, where Stidham can’t. Complete. Half. His. Passes. Newton has been the 7th-best passer in the NFL since Week 8, per PFF. You don’t bench a quarterback playing that well with your season on the line — especially for a turnover-prone backup who has done exactly nothing to indicate he’s even an average passer.
Guregian: Maybe the Patriots have a definite read on Stidham. Maybe their fourth-round pick and first alleged heir to Tom Brady stinks. Maybe they know that. But you certainly can’t come to that conclusion on the little data that’s available coming on in relief. It’s not a fair sample size given he has made no starts. Have you watched him every day in practice beyond stretching? Granted, it’s an unknown. But Newton hasn’t been playing well enough to stay in the lineup. He’s just as turnover-prone. And to borrow your slick phrasing, on the field, he can’t. Throw. The. Football. He also can’t. Escape. The. Blitz. Read. A. Defense. For whatever reason, be it injury, lack of practice time, or a simple inability to be accurate, he’s had trouble with those very basic functions of the position.
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Patriots Point-Counterpoint: Should Jarrett Stidham start while the Pats are still in playoff contention? - Boston Herald
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