Kraft told Curran, "Not sure Cam had proper weapons around him. Not sure Jarrett hasn’t really gotten fair shot. . . . "
Those are both arguments made by Patriots nation. Along with the following.
Cam got injured in 2018 and Stidham's college team fell apart. Cam got injured again in 2019. Stidham got drafted as a 4th round project in 2019 and had got whatever reps Brady allowed for him.
In 2020 neither quarterback had spring OTAs. Stidham would've been able to get second year reps at rookie minicamp but that also was canceled. There was a limited August camp but "there was no preseason." They "had no offseason."
"The Patriots didn't do anything to improve the supporting cast," who was still below average falling from 17th in 2019 to 22nd in 2020. "They had no weapons."
"Stidham had a groin injury during August camp, losing the quarterback competition by default" and "Newton got covid during the season and was never the same."
"Cam was still learning the playbook" running with the first team. 'Stidham was still running the scout team offense getting garbage snaps if any," instead of learning the Patriots playbook.
"Cam had good games in week one and two" but started to fall apart week three. And was inconsistent the rest of the season. "Stidham looked good versus KC until Edelman caused a pick six." After that Stidham looked identical to Cam's bad play the rest of the year.
"McDaniels wasn't calling the right plays for Newton."
"Belichick refused to bench Cam and start Stidham."
Newton who started 15 games, "never had a fair shot."
"Stidham never had a fair opportunity," although he competed for the position in August.
Both quarterbacks showed small glimpses of potential but they also looked like backup passers. Robert Kraft owner of the Patriots made it clear, he saw all of it.
Kraft continued, “We all know long term, we have to find a way — either Jarrett Stidham or someone new we bring in. This isn’t something where you get algebraic formulas. Think of all the personnel wizards who passed on six rounds for Tom Brady in 2000? No one knows what’s going to happen. We have to balance everything. Look, the quarterback is the most important position on the team. We know that. ... One way or another, we have to get that position solidified.”
After Kraft's comments the Newton camp is baffled at why Newton's name wasn't mentioned as part of the solution and why Stidham was. Cam fans have tried to say it was an oversight about Cam and Kraft being kind with Stidham.
The Stidham supporters were glad that Kraft admitted that Stidham hadn't been ruled out as the future of the franchise yet, and that Cam being left out meant he wasn't the answer.
As my buddy Ray Rauth of DPN sports talk says, "It's all about narrative."
Both camps agree that something needs to improve at the Patriots quarterback position. Both groups think the team has improved and that with a full offseason, that there should be no excuse for why either quarterback plays bad.
Both groups can admit that Newton is a bridge quarterback and that Stidham isn't ready to start week one. However, the groups disagree on whether Stidham could be ready midway to late in the season to start and take over.
Regardless of what both camps think, The owner has an opinion and has spoken. Belichick is in charge of the franchise for the most part, he knows Kraft's opinion, and Kraft will ride or die with Belichick. So like it or not, "In Bill We Trust."
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