Patriots Owner Kraft Confident In Team Quarterbacks

As free agency continues in the NFL, many are still questioning what the New England Patriots are doing in terms of their most important position - the quarterback spot.

The team brought back Cam Newton, who was the starter for a majority of last season.

Newton struggled, and the team missed the postseason, finishing 7-9 and third in the AFC East.

Belichick reportedly didn't have any issues with the usually outlandish Newton, which was part of the reason the team brought him back.

Newton hasn't been officially named the starter, but one would think unless there's a major move which brings in another quarterback, he'll be the guy under center come Week One of the regular season.

That doesn't close the door on young quarterback Jarrett Stidham, who is waiting his turn to take shots as the Patriots' starting quarterback.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft doesn't shy away from talking about his team or their quarterbacks.

Last season, Newton ended up on the COVID-19 reserve list. While he's doing much better now, Kraft said last week that he felt Newton being away for a few weeks actually helped out the team.

"It changed a lot when we were in a good place," Kraft said in a conference call. "Now we'll have a chance to see."

"We're in a situation where we have, at this point in time, we're trying to do what the best thing for us is," Kraft said.

"I think, in fairness to Cam, I'm not sure he had the proper weapons around him last year. Then he got COVID and there were a lot of things that happened."

Stidham is another quarterback whom Kraft has been watching closely, and he's excited to see what he can bring to the table.

"And I'm not sure that Jarrett has ever really gotten a fair shot so we'll have to wait and see what happens," Kraft said.

He's not wrong about the lack of chances for Stidham thus far. He didn't start once last season, although he did appear in four games.

That could increase in 2021 if he can continue to make strides on the field.

"I think he's a great young man," Kraft said, "and I know that he's eager to compete and look for an opportunity to play."