With the New England Patriots adding Cam Newton, there have been a lot of questions about what the plan will be now with Jarrett Stidham.
Dianna Russini of ESPN spoke with one AFC East head coach who believes the team brought in Cam Newton to be a wild card, and he won't be the starting quarterback Week 1. That same coach also believes that the Patriots love Stidham.
I spoke over text w/ an AFC East Head Coach on Cam Newton and the Patriots. “I think they are going to keep 3 QBs. Use Cam Newton perhaps as the wild card. I actually don't see him starting Week 1 in the offense…I know one thing for a fact: the #Patriots love Jarrett Stidham"
— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) July 1, 2020
Before the Patriots decided to sign Newton, they seemed to be all in with Stidham starting, so it makes sense the team still has confidence in the second-year quarterback.
Newton has dealt with a lot of injuries the last few years which has held him back, but his former coach Ron Rivera thinks anyone that is counting him out is foolish:
“He's headed in the right direction,” Rivera said on the McNeil & Parkins Show. “I mean, he's probably about as healthy as it gets from what I've seen on video. I think he's ready to bust out.
“I would never bet against the young man, that's for sure.”
Rivera also hinted that he might have brought him to the Washington Redskins if the circumstances were a little different. Those circumstances weren't though, and Newton is a member of the Patriots.
If the Patriots do start Stidham to start the season, Newton is still a good signing. If he is struggling a few weeks in, the Patriots could bring in Newton to try and save the season.
Veteran leadership is also important in a quarterback room with a young starter.
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