Cam Newton’s Presence Already Being Felt In Patriots Quarterback Room

The New England Patriots had to limit their roster to 80 players. Ten players had to go, and head coach Bill Belichick will have to make a decision and build his 53-man roster. Where does this leave Cam Newton? Many would agree that his presence is felt in the Patriots locker room. Undrafted rookie quarterbacks J’Mar Smith and Brian Lewerke are out now. Well, these two didn’t really get a chance to make the roster. The Patriots already had Newton, Jarrett Stidham, and Brian Hoyer as quarterback option.

The coronavirus pandemic changed the course of the offseason. Patriots will start off training camp this week. The offseason workout program had to take a different turn. It was a virtual program and some players didn’t get the best of it. patriots players took part in meetings with coaches and peers via Webex in April, May, and June. They will have their coronavirus tests done. If their tests return negative, players will be allowed to enter NFL facilities for their physicals and equipment.

Who is the next Patriots quarterback No.1?

Patriots quarterbacks will be able to pick up a football at Gillette Stadium on Aug. 3 for the strength and conditioning part of the acclimation period.

Rookie quarterbacks usually have a chance to show their skills during team activities, minicamp, training camp and preseason. Sometimes they sign deals as practice squad players and other times they join a different team.

Newton’s arrival changed everything. In every other scenario, one of the rookies would have had a chance to take part in the Patriots training camp.

This leaves Newton, Stidham and Hoyer on the roster.

The 31-year-old quarterback has 124 career starts since joining the NFL as first overall in 2011. Hoyer has started 38 games in 11 seasons. Stidham has yet to start a game. He has attempted just four passes last season as a rookie player behind the awesome Tom Brady.

The offseason workout program will go from July 28 to Aug. 11. Patriots’ OTAs and minicamp will happen Aug. 12 to 16. Patriots training camp will start off Aug. 17 and run through Sept. 6.

The regular NFL season will start Sept. 13, and the Patriots will play a home game against the Miami Dolphins.