KEY POINTS

  • The Patriots cutting Brian Hoyer will likely be part of a bigger deal in the works
  • Hoyer returning to the Pats remains a possibility in the future
  • Bill Belichick is taking a big risk appointing Mac Jones as the starting quarterback

The New England Patriots may have something up their sleeve and it will revolve around their quarterback situation.

Not long after announcing that Cam Newton has been released, another quarterback was given the pink slip as well in Brian Hoyer.

It was something that NFL pundits found odd since it means that the only play-caller on the Pats camp is rookie Mac Jones.

Jarrett Stidham is still on the roster, but the 25-year-old is still not physically able to perform.

What appears clear is that the Pats are leaving slots open and may take in a new quarterback soon. But it is worth noting that despite being cut, Hoyer can still return to New England.

The 35-year-old has had multiple stints with the Patriots over the years and made it known that he would be re-open to re-signing with the team in the future.

For now, it seems like a tactical move for the Pats and hints at them possibly making a move on someone soon.

It was always believed that Jones would eventually be the Pats' new starting quarterback. However, no one probably expected it to happen this early with the new NFL season yet to unfold.

But Belichick may have been convinced that the time is ripe for the 22-year-old from Florida to take over.

The development addresses a response NFL insider Matt Maiocco gave on the Sports For All PH podcast last July.

“If Mac Jones is ready to take over as the starting quarterback for the Patriots, Bill Belichick will make that switch. Cam Newton at his best for a good many years in Carolina was one heck of a quarterback. But last year, he was closer to the bottom as far as starting quarterbacks in the NFL… a lot closer to the bottom than he was to the top,” Maiocco stated.

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick says he will not accept the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Donald Trump this week
New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick says he will not accept the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Donald Trump this week GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Adam Glanzman

As for Newton, it appears the Pats took exception to Newton’s decision off the field.

This is about Newton’s absence during several days of practice due to what the team described as a “misunderstanding” over COVID-19 tests conducted away from NFL facilities.

Pinning the Pats’ hopes for the coming NFL season on Jones is seen as a huge gamble for Belichick.

But then again, the many-time Super Bowl champion coach may have something else under his sleeve of tricks.

RELATED STORIES
Coronavirus NFL