The Patriots coaching staff was once giving off the impression that it was confident in second-year quarterback Jarrett Stidham, but the team’s decision to sign veteran quarterback Cam Newton says otherwise.
Stidham has yet to have played in a regular-season NFL game, so there was doubt as if he’d really be named the starter, given how the team has shown all signs they plan to compete for a Super Bowl again this season, rather than rebuilding or retooling its roster.
And now they have the 2015 MVP at their disposal.
The Patriots signed Newton to a one-year deal for the league minimum, in what was the very definition of a “prove-it” deal. As for Michael Lombardi, who once served on Belichick’s coaching staff and knows him well, he believes Newton will win the starting job. Not only that, he’s confident about it.
We completely agree with him.