Fansided

3 surprise cuts the Patriots can make this offseason

By Russell S. Baxter

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 09: Head Coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots in action against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on January 09, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 09: Head Coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots in action against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on January 09, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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FOXBOROUGH, MA – JANUARY 03: Jarrett Stidham #4 of the New England Patriots warms up before a game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on January 3, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – JANUARY 03: Jarrett Stidham #4 of the New England Patriots warms up before a game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on January 3, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

2. QB Jarrett Stidham

Perhaps it’s not that big of a surprise considering his lack of playing time over three NFL seasons. And it’s certainly possible that the New England Patriots plan to bring back veteran Brian Hoyer this offseason. That latter matter would mean that Bill Belichick would be in search of a third-string quarterback. But if the Pats opt not to re-sign Hoyer, three-year pro Jarrett Stidham would assumedly slide into the backup role.

Or would he? The 2019 fourth-round pick from Auburn University played in a total of eight regular-season contests his first two seasons and never made a start. That first year was certainly understandable with veteran Tom Brady behind center. A year ago, Cam Newton was the primary starter, the team finished 30th in the league in passing yards and Belichick’s club finished a disappointing 7-9.

This past April, the organization opted for University of Alabama quarterback Mac Jones. He responded with a solid performance and improved as time wore on. Hoyer saw some action while Stidham never took the field this past season. Via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, he underwent back surgery in late July. Even if he is 100 percent healthy, has the Stidham experiment come to an end in New England?

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