Jarrett Stidham Reminds NFL Analyst Of This Former Quarterback

Former NFL quarterback and son of Giants' legend Phil Simms has praise for the New England Patriots 2019 4th round pick. While not all will like the Praise, it's a compliment non the less. Simms told NBC sports, as transcribed by The Boston Globe.

“First off, I loved (Stidham) coming out of college. I saw a lot of him in preseason last year, and loved the way he looked. Really, when you look at him, there’s nothing to say or look at him physically and go, ‘Oh, there’s a weakness to his football game.’ He reminds me a little of Tony Romo. He’s a very pure thrower of the football. He’s got great mechanics, he’s natural that way. He’s smart, and we know he’s being well-schooled up there in New England."

When many people think of Tony Romo the player, they think of an Injury prone, choke artists who couldn't handle big games. Statistically, Romo was one of the best quarterbacks in Cowboys' history, after he stole the job with help from TO; away from Patriots' legend Drew Bledsoe.

Simms continued “He doesn’t have as strong of an arm as Tom Brady, but it’s not far off — it’s right there in that range. It’s a really good arm, and he’s a good athlete. Not an athlete that’s going to run for a ton of yards, but can move around the pocket and extend plays that way. That’s what I’m excited about with Jarrett Stidham: He’s got great feel. He’s a natural at playing the quarterback position, let alone, he’s got skills that can really shine and stand out as well.”

Chris Simms said this about Stidham in the 2019 according to NESN. 

Simms said in 2019 “This guy was a first-round talent, in my opinion, coming out of the draft two years ago. He killed it in the preseason last year. He absolutely, absolutely killed it. He’s a good decision-maker, he’s a very good athlete. He can really make plays within the pocket, moving around, throwing the ball in different ways. He’s a pure thrower of the football. It’s not a great arm, it’s a real good arm. He certainly can make any throw and has a variety of throws. Can throw the ball with touch, has timing, can drive the ball, has an aggressive frame of mind that I really like. He drops back and he’s looking to strike. He’s not looking to go, ‘Oh, let me throw a 4-yard completion and get my completion percentage up and get us to second-and-6.

He plays the position true to how he’s coached. Hey, if the first read is, like, the 20-yard comeback on the right side, he’s gonna sit there and give that 20-yard comeback a chance. I think all of those things, plus poise in the pocket — I’m just a big fan of Jarrett Stidham. I’m a believer. I would be more shocked if he’s not still the quarterback six or seven years from now than I am if he ends up not being the quarterback after this year. Yeah, I think he’s the future.”

(Simms Just named Stidham the 35th best quarterback in the league after giving him all the praise)

Chris Simms isn't the only former NFL quarterback to give praise to Stidham, Jordan Palmer also had things to say about the Patriots quarterback this offseason. Palmer had previously spoken with Jeff Howe of the Athletic.

"He's going to be a leader of New England for a long time, whenever that starts. To be clear, I think (Jarrett Stidham) is a star, and he is going to be a big-time franchise quarterback. I have felt that way for a couple years now. I’m totally fine saying that. I don’t care that he went fourth round (of the 2019 draft). I think he is legitimate. He is going to be the leader of New England for a long time, whenever that starts. Go ahead and jump on that bandwagon.” 

Back in 2019 after Stidham's pro day Palmer said this about Stidham.

“I’m not surprised at all, but that was probably the best — or right there with the best pro days I’ve ever been a part of, and I’ve been a part of some big-time pro days." “…That was about as impressive as I’ve seen.”

By now it's well known that Stidham was a victim of circumstance at Auburn in 2018, that saw Stidham fall from being one the top quarterback Prospects to a lonely fourth round prospect. Who's to say if the Patriots got a steal in the draft with Stidham.

The Patriots might as well give Stidham a chance. Drafting quarterbacks isn't a guaranteed success based off college success. For all anyone knows Trevor Lawrence could end up being another draft bust, just as much as Stidham could be a good quarterback in 2020.