Report: Jarrett Stidham might need surgery, not expected back in ‘near future’

Jarrett Stidham isn't expected to join the Patriots any time soon.

New England Patriots quarterback Jarrett Stidham (4) winds up for a pass. AP Photo/Steven Senne

July 28, 2021

1 minute to read

Back-up Patriots quarterback Jarrett Stidham will not be available in the near future, according to The Athletic’s Jeff Howe.

The Patriots acquired former Packers backup quarterback Jake Dolegala on Wednesday off waivers, which raised some eyebrows regarding Stidham’s future. Per Howe, Stidham has an injury to his throwing shoulder which could require surgery. Stidham was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list last week.

“It remains unclear how much more time he’ll miss,” Howe wrote.

Stidham — who backed up Tom Brady in Brady’s final season with the Patriots — likely would have been third on the team’s depth chart behind Cam Newton and first-round pick Mac Jones, although both Newton and Jones struggled a bit in their initial showing on Wednesday.

Last season, as Newton struggled with his consistency as a passer, Belichick never went to Stidham and bristled when asked about it by local reporters.

Here's @OMFonWEEI exchange with Bill Belichick on the Patriots' QB situation and potentially going with Jarrett Stidham over Cam Newton pic.twitter.com/T3zCcyDXmB
— Ryan Hannable (@RyanHannable) December 21, 2020

Dolegala, a 6-foot-7 quarterback out of Central Connecticut, initially signed with the Cincinnati Bengals after going undrafted. He was then signed and released twice by the Patriots before the Packers picked up the 24-year-old on June 10. The Packers released him on Tuesday. He threw for 8,129 yards and 48 touchdowns in college.