The New England Patriots secured longtime Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton via free agency this past offseason, which basically put a massive roadblock for up-and-coming QB Jarrett Stidham.

However, with Newton missing the team's Monday evening matchup against the defending Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs due to a recent positive coronavirus test, both Brian Hoyer and Stidham have now seen time under center in Week 4.

With Hoyer starting the game and failing to lead the Patriots to more than a mere three points, Stidham entered the game in the second half while promptly helping New England to find the end zone against the Chiefs.

Because Newton's status moving forward remains uncertain due to his ongoing bout with COVID-19, the Patriots may have a decision to make in the near future as Hoyer does not appear to be the man for the job at this point.

However, even with Stidham now in the game for the Patriots, longtime New England head coach Bill Belichick is certainly not one to reveal his hand before the last possible moment. Because Belichick operates in a manner much differently than other NFL head coaches, this situation could get interesting in a hurry if Newton is unable to take the field over the course of the next several weeks.

Of course, it should be remembered that Belichick and Co. seemed ready to roll with Jarrett Stidham as the team's starting signal-caller for the 2020-21 campaign prior to signing Newton.