GREEN BAY, Wisc. — The Patriots are likely going to be in the market for an emergency quarterback.
With Mac Jones battling an ankle injury and Brian Hoyer being sidelined with a concussion on Sunday, New England will go into next week with Bailey Zappe as the only healthy quarterback on the roster.
Even if Hoyer or Jones improve enough to return next week it would still make sense to add someone to the practice squad for depth just in case.
Here are some possibilities.
Blake Bortles — “He’s good, yeah. He runs well. He’s a big, strong kid. He’s hard to bring down. He can extend plays.” That’s Bill Belichick on Bortles in 2018.
Bortles’ has fallen off since he led Jacksonville to the AFC Championship game. But he’s experienced and he can run. He was a backup in New Orleans and Green Bay last year.
Cam Newton — He’s been critical of the Patriots since he left, which makes this less likely. That said, he knows how things work in Foxborough. Belichick held a high opinion of him while he was a Patriot.
Garrett Gilbert — This feels like a pretty good possibility. Gilbert was on the Patriots practice squad as recently as last December until the Washington Football Team signed him to their active roster. He’s currently a free agent.
Cody Kessler — Another former Patriots practice squad quarterback (2019). But he hasn’t been on a roster since 2019.
Josh Johnson — The well-traveled back-up quarterback has nine career NFL starts. He’s currently on the Broncos practice squad.
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