<![CDATA[Who’s the next Patriots QB? Teddy Bridgewater, Jarrett Stidham top options]]> https://usagag.com/2020/03/17/whos-the-next-patriots-qb-teddy-bridgewater-jarrett-stidham-top-options/ Tue, 17 Mar 2020 16:52:25 +0000 hourly 1 https://usagag.com Who’s the next Patriots QB? Teddy Bridgewater, Jarrett Stidham top options Who will be the next Patriots quarterback after Tom Brady announced he’s leaving New England?

Steve Young replaced Joe Montana. Aaron Rodgers replaced Brett Favre. Andrew Luck replaced Peyton Manning. So, who is going to replace Tom Brady now that he is leaving the Patriots?

Here is an early look at five options:

Teddy Bridgewater

Once upon a time, Bridgewater was one of the young quarterbacks with a bright future in the NFL. The first-round pick was a Pro Bowler in his second season (2015). Then he suffered a career-threatening knee injury and has been a backup for the Vikings, Jets and Saints ever since. Bridgewater’s 5-0 record as a starter last season with Drew Brees sidelined earned him millions in free agency.

Jarrett Stidham

The fourth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Auburn threw four passes (one interception) as a rookie, but sits atop the Patriots depth chart (Cody Kessler is the only other in-house option) for now. Brady once came out of nowhere as a late draft pick replacing an injured Drew Bledsoe.

Teddy Bridgewater, Jarrett StidhamIcon Sportswire via Getty Images (2)

Jacoby Brissett

Drafted by the Patriots in the third round, Brissett made two starts during Brady’s season-opening suspension in 2016. He was traded to the Colts for receiver Phillip Dorsett before the 2017 season. Brissett started last season after Luck’s surprising retirement, but the Colts are looking for a veteran upgrade. Maybe a trade-back?

Andy Dalton

A career 133-game starter who led the Bengals to four playoff appearances, Dalton is about to get replaced by No. 1 overall draft pick Joe Burrow. He can be cut for no cap penalty or traded. Dalton, 32, was 2-11 as a starter last season, but is it possible he has some untapped potential? There are rumblings Belichick sees it that way.

First-round pick

This seems out of character in a lot of ways. Belichick the GM seems to enjoy drafting the quarterback steal – Matt Cassel, Brissett, Jimmy Garoppolo – and is a master of trading down to accumulate picks. To draft Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert or Jordan Love, he likely would have to trade up from pick No. 23. Jacob Eason should be on the board, if the Patriots want to take best available quarterback.

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