Patriots Want to Sign Vet QB; Cam Newton, Carson Wentz, Matt Ryan?

Assuming the report is true regarding an "investigation'' of options at backup QB, a New England parlor game begins.

The New England Patriots have said goodbye to long-time backup quarterback Brian Hoyer, and now they reportedly wish to say hello to a new No. 2 - presumably to work behind Mac Jones, unless of course coach Bill Belichick is truly trying to say goodbye to him (and hello to Lamar Jackson!) as well via trade.

So, assuming the report is true regarding an "investigation'' of options, a New England parlor game begins.

"A veteran backup.'' Who could it be? Let's have fun with three names ...

The #Patriots have at least investigated bringing in a veteran QB to add to their young room. Could have had Hoyer back it seems, but he too had issues with the offensive setup in 2022-23, just as Jakobi Meyers, Mac and others did. https://t.co/6GDWWqqwEY

— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) April 6, 2023

Cam Newton knows his way around Foxboro. And Cam is making noise about his willingness to join a team as a No. 2. But ...

First off, there do not seem to be any takers, league-wide, despite Cam's generous (and goofy?) offer.

And second, if Belichick believed Newton was a good fit to be a No. 2 guy, he'd probably still be here in New England.

How about the oft-struggling and now much-traveled veteran Carson Wentz? Still young and with his high NFL Draft status on his resume, Wentz keeps wearing out his welcome everywhere he goes. Is his confidence shot? Could Belichick boost it?

Somebody in the NFL is going to make Wentz a reclamation project. The Pats, maybe?

Matt Ryan has succeeded at the highest level, as an MVP and a Super Bowl entrant with the Atlanta Falcons. But watching him last year in with the Colts ... Atlanta seems a long time ago. Still, if a team had to win one game, one time ...

Could Matty Ice still do that?

Frankly, we wonder if young Bailey Zappe should be the guy who gets the job; isn't being a long-term NFL backup his destiny?

And while we're being frank, reflecting on Mike Giardi's report, in which he says, "They could have had Hoyer (who has signed with the Raiders) back it seems, but he too had issues with the offensive setup in 2022-23, just as Jakobi Meyers, Mac and others did.''

In other words, the Patriots' offensive dysfunction in 2022 continues to haunt the organization ... and maybe a veteran newcomer could help straighten things out.

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