Prior to the 2019 NFL draft, Kiper said that Stidham was underrated and that "Tom Brady wasn't going.to play forever. After the Patriots drafted Stidham, Kiper said, “Stidham can make Round 1 throws and Round 7 interceptions. This is an excellent upside developmental play behind Tom Brady.”
Stidham sat a year behind Brady. Got to see how Brady works and studies. He got to watch how Brady plays. He was reportedly ahead of schedule in development for a year one player. Then year two he had to watch a guy who wasn't even a top 32 passer work, play, and study. Stidham looked like he was emulating Newton in 2020.
Newton can run and has the confidence to do so. Stidham has the ability to run but looked scared on the field. If there was one thing Stidham needed to learn from Newton, it was confidence. Maybe that's why Bill never let Stidham start at the end of the season. Stidham could be liked by the locker room but if he doesn't have the confidence on the field, it doesn't matter.
Anyone who watches and subscribes to Colts Law on Patreon, knows that Mr. Owens has stated that Stidham is still a project, and that although he shouldn't start in 2021, he shouldn't be shown the door.
That's not surprising when looking at everything he was up against in 2020. No second year of rookie minicamp, no OTAs, No August training, No Preseason, got injured, was practicing with the scout team and getting third string reps. And an average to below average supporting cast that many people have said "No quarterback could've been successful with," and last I checked Stidham was a quarterback.
Jordan Palmer spoke to Tom E. Curran in the Patriots Talk Podcast. Palmer goes on to say that Stidham never had anything close to an NFL offense while in college. That the Auburn offense was "the farthest thing" from an NFL offense. Palmer even went on to say that "Gus Malzahn used numbers instead of letter in the offense". He then says "The Patriots have one of the most complex NFL offenses".
Palmer said when he originally started working with Stidham that he was "no where near" NFL ready. Palmer also says he has all the traits desired for a quarterback and not to go off of what was seen in 2020.
Palmer goes on to say "teams give up on players to soon after taking guys who don't fit their system to start". Basically implying that the Patriots didn't do their homework on Stidham. Palmer also implies that Stidham can still be a good quarterback but "he needs to be properly developed by an NFL franchise". He suggests that the Patriots not give up on Stidham yet.
2021 will be Stidham's third season in the NFL. After talking to Lawrence Owen, Stidham is not ready to start, as he needs more development. Palmer said the same thing. Stidham is still basically a sophomore due to the covid season. If the Patriots are going to sit and develop Stidham for the 2021 season, they need a good reliable pocket passer.
There are a lot of rumors that the Patriots are interested in Jimmy Garoppolo. That Garoppolo "is plan A." That would be a great quarterback to have Stidham sit and learn behind during his final two years of his rookie contract. Garoppolo struggles to stay healthy so the Patriots might wanna rework his contract but he's also set to be a free agent the same time Stidham is. Which puts the Patriots in a win-loss situation if neither pan out.
The most ideal Situation is if the Patriots can Get Jimmy, and develop Stidham for 2021. Then depending on how Garoppolo plays have a competition in 2022 or re-sign Garoppolo to be the starter. Garoppolo is currently 29 and will turn 30 in November. Stidham turns 25 in August, and could also be re-signed as the long term backup.
Keep in mind that Aaron Rodgers would've still been a backup at age 25 but Farve retired to get out of OTAs and forced the Packers hands early, and when Farve unretired the Packers stuck with Rodgers. So Stidham not taking over until he's 26 or 27 would not be unheard of.
Don't get me wrong, I don't think that Stidham is the of future franchise but the Patriots shouldn't give up on him before spending enough time developing him. Stidham could end up being a good career backup for the Patriots. Something teams like the Cowboys, Bills, and Oilers enjoyed in the 90s. Stidham could be the next Frank Reich, Jason Garrett, or Jeff Carlson.
All he needs is time to be developed but it depends on Belichick and how loud Bill's internal clock is ticking. Bill maybe in a win now, instead of his normal "win now and retool for the future".
Don't forget that in 2020 when fans were calling for Stidham and the media asked McDaniels about it, it was McDaniels basically throwing Bill under the bus. Saying he was "comfortable in his knowledge of Stidham's development" but the decision on "who starts is up to Belichick". McDaniels may of wanted go with Stidham but at the end of the day It's Belichick's team.
So In Bill We Trust, and all we can do is hope he doesn't give up on Stidham too early and allow another team to steal him before he can guarentee Stidham's a bust.
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