Jarrett Stidham

Stidham entered his true freshman year at Baylor in 2015 as the backup to Seth Russell. He appeared in the first seven games, completing 24 of 28 passes for 331 yards and six touchdowns.[3] After Russell suffered a season-ending neck injury during Baylor's seventh game, Stidham took over as the starter.[4][5] He started his first career game against Kansas State.[6][7] He finished the game completing 23 of 33 passes for 419 yards, three passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown. In his second career start against Oklahoma, Stidham injured his back in the first quarter, but he was able to remain in the game. He finished the game completing 16 of 27 for 257 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in the 44–34 loss.[8]

The following week, despite being questionable to play leading up to the game, Stidham made his third career start against Oklahoma State. He injured his hand and ankle in the first half of the game and did not return to the field for the second half.[9] On November 25, 2015, Baylor head coach Art Briles announced that Stidham's ankle injury was a chipped bone in the back of his ankle and Stidham would be sidelined for the remainder of the regular season.[10] It was reported that Stidham might be able to return for Baylor's bowl game, but on December 19, Briles announced Stidham would miss the 2015 Russell Athletic Bowl.[11][12]

In the wake of a sexual abuse scandal at the school and the firing of much of the coaching staff, and dissatisfaction backing up quarterback Seth Russell, on July 7, 2016, Stidham announced he would be transferring from Baylor.[13][14]

After spending one semester at McLennan Community College, where he did not play football, Stidham announced that he would be transferring to Auburn University. He made the announcement via his Twitter account on December 10, 2016.[15] On August 14, Stidham was named as Auburn's starting quarterback for the 2017 season.[16] Stidham led the Tigers to an SEC West Division Championship after victories over top-ranked Georgia and Alabama.[17] He would later lose to UCF in the Peach Bowl.[18] On December 4, 2018, Stidham announced that he would forgo his final year of eligibility and declare for the 2019 NFL Draft.[19]

Stidham was selected by the New England Patriots with the 133rd overall pick in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft.[21] He signed a four-year deal worth $3.15 million, including a signing bonus of about $634,000.[22] At the end of the Patriots' 2019 training camp, the Patriots made Stidham the backup to quarterback Tom Brady, releasing veteran Brian Hoyer.[23] Stidham selected the number 4 as his jersey number, making him the first Patriots player since placekicker Adam Vinatieri in 2005 to wear the number. He is also the first Patriots quarterback to use number 4.[24]

In Week 3 against the New York Jets, Stidham relieved Brady in the fourth quarter while the Patriots held a 30–7 lead. He completed two out of three passes and threw a pick 6 to safety Jamal Adams before Brady returned to finish the game. The Patriots went on to win 30–14.[25]

After Brady left the Patriots in March 2020, Stidham was seen as his potential successor for the 2020 season.[26][27][28][29] However, the Patriots signed former MVP Cam Newton in July, who became the frontrunner to replace Brady.[30][31][32] Newton was announced as the season's starting quarterback on September 3,[33] while Stidham became the third-string quarterback behind Newton and the re-signed Hoyer.[34]

Stidham moved up the depth chart when Newton tested positive for COVID-19 amid Week 4, serving as the second option behind Hoyer against the Kansas City Chiefs. Following a poor performance from Hoyer, Stidham was brought in during the third quarter to complete the game. He threw his first career touchdown pass to N'Keal Harry, but was also intercepted twice, including a pick 6 to safety Tyrann Mathieu, as the Patriots lost 26–10.[35] Stidham was subsequently promoted to the second option ahead of Hoyer.[36]

Although Newton remained the team's starter for rest of the season, Stidham made relief appearances in Week 7 against the San Francisco 49ers, Week 13 against the Los Angeles Chargers, and Week 14 against the Los Angeles Rams. The Week 13 appearance occurred in a 45–0 shutout of the Chargers,[37] while the Week 7 and Week 14 games saw Stidham take over for a struggling Newton amid a 33–6 defeat in the former and a 24–3 defeat in the latter. Despite Stidham replacing Newton in the blowout losses, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick stated after both games that Newton would retain his starting position.[38][39] Stidham's final relief appearance came in Week 16 after an ineffective performance from Newton against the Buffalo Bills. Entering in the third quarter, Stidham also struggled during the eventual 38–9 loss. He completed only four of 11 passes for 44 yards and converted three first downs, one of which resulted from a penalty.[40]