After losing Tom Brady this offseason, the New England Patriots are searching for a new franchise quarterback for the first time in two decades.
So far this offseason, the team has given Jarrett Stidham a vote of confidence at every turn. The only quarterback they added in free agency was Brian Hoyer, a player who they cut in favor of Stidham before the 2019 campaign.
The Patriots didn't draft a quarterback either. Despite being widely expected to add one, the only rookies they added at the position were J'Mar Smith and Brian Lewerke, two undrafted free agents.
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That said, not everyone is a believer in Stidham just yet. The fourth-round rookie may well be the starter, but as Patriots Hall of Famer Rodney Harrison told NBC 10's Raul Martinez, Stidham needs to prove himself before he can be trusted.
I mean, I haven't seen a lot. This is his opportunity to come out here and prove himself. You asked me do I believe in him. No, I don't believe in him. What gives me the right to believe in him? He hasn't done anything. You know, you have to earn your right on the football field.
Harrison would go on to say that Stidham would get a lot of opportunities to do just that and that he's sure the second-year quarterback is studying the playbook thoroughly ahead of his chance to be the successor for Brady.
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But until he gets on the field and proves to be a winner, Harrison thinks the Patriots will miss Brady's presence. Especially as a leader.
The one thing that they're missing -- you know, he's gotten older -- it's that leadership void. So, no one's talking about that leadership. The accountability. When you have your best player, your most consistent player working out early in the morning. Setting an example. Coming in, doing the right things. That's what they're going to miss.
Because when you look at Tom Brady, you know if you're down 10 points or two scores in the fourth quarter, you know you have an opportunity. When you look at this young guy, you don't know what you have. You just have to sit back and wait.
So, Harrison isn't writing Stidham off, he's just not anointing him the next great quarterback yet. And the concerns expressed are entirely fair on Harrison's part. Stidham's sample size is tiny, so it's hard to know how he'll do as a starter. He played well in the preseason but then threw just four passes in mop-up duty as a rookie.
But if Stidham does get on the field early in the season and helps the Patriots find success, Harrison's tone will surely change.
It really only matters if Bill Belichick believes in Stidham heading into the season. And based on his actions so far, it's clear he does.