Report: Veteran Free-Agent Quarterback Considered as ‘Perfect’ Signing for Patriots

NFL experts linked the New England Patriots with several quarterbacks throughout the entire 2020 season. It’s a pretty long list of options for head coach Bill Belichick. Miami Dolphins veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick is definitely a quarterback option for the Patriots

Fitzpatrick has played with pretty much every team in the AFC East. Maybe he will consider joining the Patriots. Would he retire as a Patriots signal-caller?

Brian M. Hines from Pats Pulpit has listed all the options for the Patriots’ potential quarterback target and didn’t forget to mention the Dolphins’ veteran.

“As the two-year contract he signed back in 2019 is set to expire, it seems unlikely he will be back in South Beach. While the veteran would continue to be a great backup (reliever?) for Tua Tagovailoa, Fitzpatrick clearly wants a chance to start elsewhere. He should have his fair share of suitors too, as teams were calling about him at last year’s trade deadline once he was moved to the bench. Regarding the Patriots, modeling their AFC East foe, the Miami Dolphins, could be the perfect recipe for success. Signing Fitzpatrick to a short-term deal would allow New England to develop a younger quarterback — whether that’s Stidham, a rookie, or someone else — behind him. A one-year deal for Fitzpatrick should cost the Patriots around $10 million, which would leave them with plenty of ammo to address other roster needs.”

The veteran quarterback to finish his career as a Patriot

A $10 million salary seems just perfect for the Patriots. This leaves the team enough cap space to address every other issue on the roster. New England has more than $63 million available. Belichick would definitely sign a capable bridge quarterback to a 2-year contract.

But, this leads us to veteran quarterback Cam Newton. Maybe the Patriots sign him to a similar contract. Yes, Newton had the worst passing game in 2020. But, he isn’t the only one to be blamed for this one. The veteran had limited time to get used to the offense, tested positive for COVID-19, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels was reluctant to push the ball down the field, and Newton didn’t get enough help from his wide receivers and tight ends.

Fitzpatrick is a great option for New England but he doesn’t have the same running game as Newton. Belichick likes Newton, but he won’t think twice before signing a better option. Is Fitzpatrick better than the 2015 NFL MVP?