One NFL analyst thinks the Patriots’ Jarrett Stidham more talented than Tua Tagovailoa
There’s a burgeoning youth movement happening in the AFC East at the quarterback position.
Half of the teams already have guaranteed starters who are under the age of 24 in Sam Darnold (New York Jets) and Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills). As for the New England Patriots, all reports point to Jarrett Stidham, 23, being Tom Brady’s successor. That leaves 37-year-old Ryan Fitzpatrick as the division’s resident old soul, though the addition of Tua Tagovailoa means his job has an expiration date.
While football fans would argue for days over who they want to lead their franchise, NBC Sports’ Chris Simms was certain that he’d rather have Stidham than Tagovailoa.
Stidham “is more talented than Tua,” Simms said Wednesday morning on WEEI sports radio. “Tua is a creation of Alabama. You don’t think Jarrett Stidham, or like Justin Herbert, would have set the world on fire if they got to play with four first-round receivers and two first-round tackles?”
Simms’ explanation gave some insight into his recently released quarterback rankings, which slotted Tagovailoa in at No. 40 and Stidham at No. 35. He later noted the Patriots’ confidence in the 2019 fourth-round pick had some influence on his analysis.
“I could be off on Stidham. He could be way greater than what I say, way off. I am not saying my list is in stone, but my list has been pretty good the last few years, and I certainly like the potential of Jarrett Stidham, what I saw in college and he was very impressive in the preseason. The fact that New England likes him, makes me like him, too.”
Both Stidham and Tagovailoa have yet to start a NFL game. But if their college production provides any indication, the Dolphins quarterback could upend Simms’ rankings. The Alabama product has an edge in passing yards, touchdowns and completion percentage despite playing five less games.
But as Tagovailoa said himself, his collegiate career means nothing at the next level. Durability will always be a concern yet the star potential is certainly there. He just needs to get on the field and prove it.
