At QB, it’s ‘In Bill We Trust’ for Kraft
Bill Belichick’s quarterback plan has left Patriots Nation both fascinated and aggravated at the same time.
Let’s just say the suspense has left more than a few fans on edge. Many hope Belichick has another card to play.
If he doesn’t, is he really content having Cam Newton at quarterback for the 2021 season? Or is Belichick simply being coy while plotting his next move?
Imagine being Patriots owner Robert Kraft. He signed off on the largest free agent spending spree in NFL history, guaranteeing nearly $160 million in new contracts, and $316 million overall.
And right now, he still doesn’t have an answer at the most important position on the field.
With the draft a month away, there’s time. There’s still a few scenarios that would allow Belichick to put the cherry on top of his unprecedented run of spending. It’s just hard to know if he’s going to be as aggressive at quarterback as he was for every other position.
“This isn’t something where you get algebraic formulas,” Kraft said during a conference call with reporters Wednesday, when asked if the investment at quarterback thus far had made the Patriots as competitive as he’d like. “No one knows what’s going to happen.”
True. We still don’t know the end game. It’s just odd to think Belichick would sign more than a dozen free agents, including Newton, get the Patriots back into the contender mix, but leave them short at quarterback.
Does that compute?
It would make sense if he moves up the board right behind the 49ers, into the No. 4 hole, to land one of the top quarterbacks. Whether it’s Justin Fields, Trey Lance, or Mac Jones, he could be groomed and eventually become the next Patriots franchise quarterback.
It would also make sense if Belichick is able to bring Jimmy Garoppolo back to Foxboro if he can work out a deal with the 49ers.
But all of the above scenarios remain distant possibilities at this point.
Perhaps Kraft knows the plan, and he’s on board whatever way Belichick goes. After all, in Bill he trusts.
And why not? The coach has brought him six Lombardi trophies and nine Super Bowl appearances over the course of two decades.
There’s just something that doesn’t sit well with having last year’s 30th-rated quarterback leading one of the best teams money can pay for.
During the call, Kraft was supportive of both Newton and thirdyear quarterback Jarrett Stidham, two of the three quarterbacks currently on the Patriots roster along with Jake Dolegala.
Kraft made a point of linking Newton’s troubles last year to contracting COVID-19 after Week 3.
Asked if he would be comfortable with the offense in Newton’s hands going forward, Kraft turned diplomatic.
“Look, Cam is a terrific guy. I really enjoyed getting to know him last year. I’ll tell you this, players on the team and in the locker room really love the guy,” said Kraft. “So, in the end, I trust Coach Belichick’s ability to build a team and put the right players in the best position to succeed.”
He also said he was a “big fan” of Stidham, and wasn’t sure if he has “really been tested.”
Interesting. The owner not only provided excuses for Newton, but went out of his way to pump up Stidham.
Is that a clue, or was Kraft merely playing along with keeping Belichick’s intentions a mystery? It’s hard to put too much stock into Kraft’s love of Stidham at this stage.
Let’s just say if Newton winds up the starter, he’s likely to improve with a better cast around him. It’s just hard to ignore his inconsistency throwing the football, and his trouble diagnosing defenses.
If it’s Stidham, it’s even harder to imagine a greater level of success. The Patriots have certainly gotten better, but not to the point of truly contending and winning a Super Bowl.
You still need a quarterback for that to happen.
“We have to wait and see what happens. We still have the draft. There are a lot of things that occur,” said Kraft, later adding, “Look, the quarterback is the most important position on the team. We know that. He touches the ball over 70 times a game, and so one way or another, we have to get that position solidified.”
Or else stay stuck below the upper tier of NFL teams who are poised to win with superior quarterback talent. Kraft said you can “wave a magic wand” but you’re still trying to get value out of a roster and have balance.
And yet, he said watching last year’s 7-9 team was “horrible.” That feeling won’t leave if all the money spent doesn’t yield a better result. The boss won’t be happy.
“The bottom line here is winning. That’s what this business is,” said Kraft. “When we don’t, it’s not a good feeling.”