The spotlight in Foxborough turned to sophomore quarterback Jarrett Stidham upon the free-agency departure of future Hall of Fame passer Tom Brady, but the New England Patriots second-year player doesn't see himself as the “G.O.A.T.”s replacement.
Patriots news: Jarrett Stidham rebuffs idea of "replacing" Tom Brady
Patriots second-year quarterback Jarrett Stidham denied calling himself as former Pats QB Tom Brady's replacement following the future HOFer's departure.
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After Brady signed a two-year, fully guaranteed $50 million contract with the NFC's Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Stidham, who turned 24 years old today, joined veteran Brian Hoyer as the only remaining quarterbacks on the Patriots' roster.
Of course, that changed last month when former NFL MVP signal-caller Cam Newton, a free agent released by his longtime Carolina Panthers, signed with the six-time Super Bowl champion franchise from the AFC East.
Stidham also called the impending starting-quarterback competition with Newton an “exciting opportunity.” While Newton has multiple accolades and a reputation on which to fall back, Stidham has only appeared in three professional games (with New England) during the 2019 season after the Auburn product was selected in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Pats.
Newton, who was injured two games into the 2019 season with Carolina, undergoing season-ending surgery, has thrown 3,980 passes in his nine-year NFL tenure compared to Stidham's four total attempts.
Given the high-profile signing, the expectation is Newton will win the competition and be QB1 for the Patriots' Week 1 matchup against the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 13.