Contrasting styles of QBs give Patriots options

FOXBORO — The differences between Cam Newton, Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer hav been obvious at training camp this week. You have one veteran in Hoyer, who has been steady and shows off a big arm with a nice deep ball. You have a former MVP in Newton, who utilizes designed run plays and has a cannon for an arm. Then you have the younger guy in Stidham, who has made some mistakes but also shows potential and above-average accuracy.

For the Patriots’ offense and defense in 2020, life has been different without Tom Brady. At this point, following Wednesday’s third practice, there’s no real leader in the clubhouse when it comes to the quarterback position. It certainly wouldn’t be a shock to see Newton win the job, considering his track record. Stidham and the future he might have in the NFL also cannot be discounted.

On Wednesday morning, however, head coach Bill Belichick said he wouldn’t completely dismiss the idea of using a platoon situation in regards to the quarterback position.

“Yeah, it might [benefit the team to use two quarterbacks],” Belichick said. “Look, I always say I’ll do what I think is best for the team, what gives us the best chance to win. Whatever that is, I would certainly consider that. If it’s run an unbalanced line or double-unbalanced line or 23 personnel or whatever it is. If it helps us win, then I would consider anything.”

In practice this week, the contrasting styles of quarterback play has been evident. Take Tuesday, for example.

At the end of practice, the Patriots were working on goal-line drills. Hoyer was under center and, for two plays in a row, he handed off to running back Rex Burkhead who scored up the middle. On the third and fourth snaps, Newton took over. You could tell the defense was thinking run as the offense was on the 1-yard line. Instead, Newton faked the handoff to back Damien Harris and threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to rookie tight end Devin Asiasi.

With Newton, the defense always has to be on its toes. That’s been seen throughout camp. There have been a couple of moments in which the veteran has held the ball too long, but instead of taking the sack or throwing the ball away, he usually finishes the play by running. We’ve also seen designed runs for Newton but not for Stidham or Hoyer.

On Wednesday, the quarterbacks switched in and out after one snap. The change when Newton on the field was obvious. One highlight play was a fake jet sweep run by receiver Gunner Olszewski. Instead of handing the ball off, Newton kept it and scrambled up the middle for a big gain. These certainly aren’t typical plays for a Patriots practice and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels usually wasn’t dialing up designed run plays for Brady.

“I think coach McDaniels does a great job of being creative and dialing up new things to the strength of the players that he has,” running back James White said when he was asked about the quarterbacks. “It doesn’t matter what year it is, we always add new things to the offense and try to help us do our best out there and try to perform the best each and every week. Sometimes it can be for a certain opponent or for a certain player on our offense. He does a great job. He’s a creative mind and each year we’re gonna add new things that are going to help us succeed.”

Can you imagine if the Patriots used Stidham on one drive but replaced him for Newton when the Patriots got in the red zone?

On the one hand, it would drive the opposing defense crazy by swapping out quarterbacks with different styles. On the other, it might hurt someone like Stidham who doesn’t have a lot of experience and needs reps in order to develop. It’s a crazy thought and it would be surprising if that happened.

Of course, the contrasting styles in practice have been a benefit to the Patriots’ defense. Right now, that unit is getting looks at three different quarterbacks with different styles. That’ll only help them when the regular season starts in September.

“Well, I would say it definitely helps,” defensive end Deatrich Wise said. “We have three great quarterbacks, with all different styles of play. That definitely helps us. We have to look out for all of their attributes, whether it’s their throwing ability, quick release, their quick agility — whatever it is, it definitely helps us become a better team.”