By Jordan Long
The New England Patriots are preparing to take on the New York Jets this Sunday for their finale. No matter what happens, New England is going to miss the playoffs for the 1st time since the 2008-2009 season. New England is most likely going to start Cam Newton which could be his last game as a member of the New England Patriots . According to bostonglobe.com Head Coach Bill Belichick even stated Newton was going to start, saying “I would imagine, but we’re going through that now, so we’ll see.”
Newton agreed to a 1-year contract for $1.750 million in the offseason. This was after Tom Brady decided to sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after 20 years and 6 Super Bowl rings with the Patriots. Newton hoped offensive coordinator Josh McDaniel’s could help turn his career around.
Newton has played poorly to this point. He totaled 2,415 yards passing, his worst total in a full NFL season. Newton hasn’t been able to find his receivers in the endzone for touchdowns with 5. He has struggled to read defenses to throw the ball downfield because those have been picked off totaling 10.
The only part of his game that has helped New England is his ability to run the football. He has 513 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns this year.
When Newton has struggled in games, the Patriots have gone to backup Jarrett Stidham. Stidham appeared in 5 games to this point, tossing for 256 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions.
Newton may be looking for a new team for next year. He hasn’t shown he can be the quarterback for the Patriots moving forward. Not many starters in this league are pulled for their backup. This has occurred 5 times this year so far. It might be 6 depending on how Newton performs on Sunday.
The Patriots could be looking for a new quarterback next year. Of course, they might stick with Stidham but he hasn’t played a full NFL season to this point. Stidham could show he is the future for the Patriots.
New England might think about drafting one but it might not be in the 1st-round. They currently have the 15th pick in the NFL draft. They may draft one but to select a top quarterback which includes Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, or Justin Fields they would have to trade up which would cost them draft picks for not only this upcoming draft but 2022 and beyond. They are better off signing a veteran in free agency.
These veterans include Dak Prescott, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Jacoby Brissett among other names. Prescott could make sense for the Patriots if Dallas decides to not use the franchise tag. Prescott has thrown for 17,634 yards, 106 touchdowns, and 40 interceptions in his career. He is a mobile quarterback who can make plays with his legs to buy time. The only downside with him is he is going to come off a compound fracture and dislocation to his right ankle. Who knows how healthy he is.
Fitzpatrick has played for 8 teams in his 16 years. He has been productive no matter where he has gone. Going into this Sunday, Fitzpatrick has 34,977 passing yards, 223 touchdowns, and 169 interceptions. Fitzpatrick is a pocket passer. He is not a quarterback who will run with the football to gain yards. The Patriots may consider him because of his ability to throw from the pocket.
Brissett is a familiar name for the Patriots. He served as Tom Brady’s backup for the 2016 season. His record as a starter is a disappointing 12-20, mostly as a member of the Indianapolis Colts. New England might take a chance because he knows the offensive system.
New England will do what is best for their future moving forward. Once the clock runs out on Sunday, they have a choice to make at the quarterback position.
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