Patriots notebook: Testy Belichick tired of answering quarterback questions

Now that the Patriots have been eliminated from playoff contention, Jarrett Stidham might get a chance to make his first NFL start for the Patriots, but Coach Bill Belichick isn’t saying whether that will happen Monday night against the Bills. Reed Hoffman/Associated Press

Bill Belichick is clearly annoyed at the question, but it’s still anyone’s guess who will start for the New England Patriots at quarterback against the Buffalo Bills.

On Wednesday, the Patriots coach had a testy exchange with a reporter when asked if he would be sticking with Cam Newton at quarterback in their Monday night matchup.

“We’re not answering that question every day,” Belichick said. “We’ve been through this for a month.”

Despite Newton’s struggles, Belichick has stuck with the veteran throughout this disappointing season. However, circumstances have changed. After the Patriots (6-8) lost to the Miami Dolphins, they became mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. Belichick even mentioned on Monday he might play younger players to evaluate them with two games left.

The question is whether Belichick will start second-year quarterback Jarrett Stidham.

“How about if I let you know if we’re going to make a change,” Belichick said, cutting off the reporter’s question.

Of course, there’s a chance Belichick doesn’t want to tip his hand to the Bills. Newton and Stidham are two different styles of quarterback. When asked if he didn’t want to say who would start at quarterback for competitive reasons, Belichick simple said, “Any questions on Buffalo?”

On Wednesday, Bills Coach Sean McDermott said the team is preparing for either Newton or Stidham.

“We do our due diligence. That’s what I can say,” McDermott said. “Whoever they play, they are both good quarterbacks, both play at a high level. So, we have to prepare ourselves to play our best football is how we look at it.”

Stidham has shown some growth in limited action. He completed 11 of 23 passes for 124 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions in his first two relief appearances of 2020. Over the last two games played, though, Stidham has completed 7 of 10 passes for 88 yards and a touchdown.

The 2019 fourth-round pick has been the scout-team quarterback this season. That means his job has been to help the starting defense by running the opponent’s offensive plays. Stidham has never practiced a full week as the Patriots starting quarterback in preparation for executing a game plan.

The truth is, no one knows how Stidham will look if that happens, but players and opposing coaches have said positive things about the younger quarterback.

“He looks like a good young player,” McDermott said about Stidham. “I know he’s only had certain snaps in the regular season, but he looks like a good young player and certainly has the athleticism to go with the position. So, we’ve got nothing but a high amount of respect for Jarrett and Cam and their entire program.”

“Jarrett is a good football player,” James White said in a radio interview this week. “He has all the talent he needs to be successful in this league, and I am sure he’s probably excited for whenever he gets the opportunity to step out there, and I think he will be great whenever he does.”

Will that be on Monday night? Don’t expect Belichick to answer that question.

PRACTICE REPORT: The only players not spotted at practice Wednesday were cornerback Stephon Gilmore and defensive tackle Carl Davis.

Gilmore underwent surgery after suffering a torn quad against the Dolphins and will likely be placed on injured reserve. Davis is still technically on injured reserve. He returned last week for one practice but was absent the next day.