What was obvious is becoming increasingly clear: the New England Patriots were counting on Jarrett Stidham to succeed Tom Brady in 2020. Stidham’s college coach says the 23-year-old is ready.

The advantage of player-agents is that they get to know trends and developments in the NFL early.

So many of them have probably known for a long time: The New England Patriots usually bet on Jarrett Stidham this season.

No draft pick, no Cam Newton, no Andy Dalton. No surprise.

Stidham it is. Brian Hoyer is the backup, plus undrafted free agents J’Mar Smith and Brian Lewerke.

Since Tom Brady’s departure for Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Stidham has been following one question in particular: Is he up to the task of taking over the role of starter in his second year, especially in connection with the huge shadow of the superstar who will be over this season, even though a comparison is actually out of the question.

Stidham will now be supported by his former head coach at Auburn University. Gus Malzahn, who coached Stidham in 2017 and 2018, believes that despite the difficult circumstances of the post-Brady era, Stidham will be able to start immediately after his rookie year. That he is ready, especially mentally.

Waiting for the chance
“It definitely helped him learn from the best. He is also a young man, though, and he was waiting for the chance. The moment will not be too big for him. He will be up to the challenge, I expect,” Malzahn told ESPN.

He already knew at the 2019 Draft when the Patriots selected Stidham in the fourth round that the franchise would suit his ex-protégé. “A perfect place for him as far as the system is concerned,” Malzahn said, “it serves his strengths.

Which is not only on the field, but also in the dressing room, in handling, as a leader, who a quarterback should also be.

“He has the ability to build relationships right away. People gather around him,” Malzahn said. “He has the ability to make people want to follow him.”