A day after the New England offense scored just 3 points and sputtered in a loss to the Los Angeles Rams, Patriots coach Bill Belichick showed no interest in discussing the status of the starting quarterback job.
Following Thursday night’s defeat, Belichick said definitively that Cam Newton is QB1. Asked again Friday morning if he intends on sticking with Newton, Belichick said he’s done addressing that matter.
“Yeah, I’ve answered that question for the last time,” he said.
Newton’s recent passing numbers have left a lot to be desired, throwing for 84, 69, and 119 yards in his past three starts. During that span, the team went 2-1, but Newton’s numbers haven’t been good. He’s completed 56.6 percent of his passes, thrown three interceptions, been sacked eight times, and logged an average quarterback rating of 53.3.
Can the Patriots continue to win games with such a poor passing attack?
Belichick deferred to a catch-all, that everybody needs to be doing a better job. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels also came to Newton’s defense, reiterating, as he has in weeks prior, that high-level quarterback play requires assistance from multiple people, including himself.
“Look, whenever the offense struggles, I know the attention is only going to get turned to that position,” McDaniels said. “Me, personally, it’s my responsibility to put us in a position to be productive.”
Newton was benched in the fourth quarter of Thursday’s defeat, giving 2019 fourth-round draft pick Jarrett Stidham another relief appearance, his fourth of the season. Stidham now has played 68 snaps, all as a backup. So, does Belichick like what he’s seen?
“Jarrett’s worked hard, tried to take advantage of his opportunities,” Belichick said after Thursday’s game. “But that’s not really the point.”
Then, what is the point? Belichick clarified Friday that winning is at the root of all decisions. Stidham’s development is not.
“Sometimes, there’s situations in a game where you can put somebody in,” Belichick said. “But we’re trying to win the game. That’s what we’re here for, is to win the game.”
Stidham, once considered Tom Brady’s successor, has yet to start a regular-season game. With New England’s playoff hopes essentially shot and three divisional matchups left on the schedule, all signs point to Belichick still sticking with Newton.
Why not go to Stidham?
Belichick won’t say much, only emphasizing that his priority is to win and that the team will act accordingly. McDaniels echoed that sentiment.
“Cam’s certainly been the best option for us all year long,” McDaniels said.
Given Stidham’s limited game experience, how do the Patriots feel about his future? Does the coaching staff believe they have a full picture of what Stidham can do?
According to Belichick, Stidham has exhibited the typical amount of growth of a second-year player by strengthening his knowledge of the league, habit-building, and fundamentals. Quarterbacks coach Jedd Fisch also noted that Stidham has “worked extremely hard” in honing his preparation skills and bolstering his understanding of the game. “It’s a continual evaluation of Jarrett and all of our players,” Fisch said. “There’s not a lot of plays in practice where the No. 2 quarterback gets to work in our offense.”
In terms of what’s next? Belichick said he believes Stidham is still an ascending player but would not expound on that notion.
“Jarrett’s done everything we’ve asked him to do,” Belichick said. “He’s done everything that he can do. I don’t think you can ask any more of that.”
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Running backs coach Ivan Fears said second-year player Damien Harris is “feeling much better” after leaving Thursday’s game with a back injury. Fears seemed uncertain about Harris’s availability moving forward, but expressed confidence in James White and Sony Michel if Harris is unable to practice. “We’ll go with whoever we got,” Fears said . . . Linebacker Jack Cichy, whom the Patriots released last week after claiming him off waivers from the Buccaneers, will rejoin the team as a member of the practice squad.