The New England Patriots lost veteran superstar quarterback Tom Brady to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in free agency this offseason.

That leaves them with a couple of options.

Do they stick with the quarterbacks they have on the roster (meaning Jarrett Stidham would start)? Or do they take someone in the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft? Of course, they could trade for someone. Or they could dip into free agency themselves and get a veteran replacement.

All four options have pros and cons. They should acquire a veteran though, either via trade or free agency – and here's why.

The Patriots are still good. They have an elite defense. They were literally the best defense in football last year. Allowing just 275.9 total yards per game and 14.5 points per game, New England led the league in both categories.

With 36 takeaways they were second in the NFL in that category (the Pittsburgh Steelers led with 38). Finally, the Patriots led the NFL with seven defensive/special teams touchdowns.

That defense is going to win games. So why not get a quarterback that can help you win now? This team will fight for a playoff spot even without a quarterback. With one, they will remain Super Bowl contenders.

Meanwhile, they have options.

Currently in free agency, Cam Newton, Jameis Winston and Joe Flacco are all available.

Winston had turnover issues last year but led the NFL in passing yards (5,109) and his 33 touchdown passes were second in the NFL (Lamar Jackson had 36).

Newton has an MVP under his belt and has been to the Super Bowl before. And Flacco has won a Super Bowl and was the Super Bowl MVP.

Then via trade, Andy Dalton will likely be available when the Cincinnati Bengals draft Joe Burrow. He's had a number of great years in the NFL and been to the playoffs a number of times.

All four of those quarterbacks could be perfect fits for the Patriots. They give them experience and reliability.

New England has some solid weapons to give the quarterbacks immediately, and that elite defense to back them up.

Giving all that to an unproven player seems like a very risky move. Of course, it could work out, but why take the chance?

If the Patriots stick with Stidham, they are giving the keys to a player with four career pass attempts (2-for-4 for 14 yards and an interception). Why do this when there are multiple quarterbacks with Super Bowl experience readily available to them?

This is the Patriots we are talking about. New England tends to find a way to win no matter what. So it will be hard to argue with whatever they do.

However, getting a veteran quarterback pushes them right back into legitimate Super Bowl contenders instead of a fringe playoff team. Doesn't that just sound like a no-brainer to you?