The Patriots never quite had a quarterback battle emerge in their first year attempting to replace Tom Brady. With no preseason and a pared-down training camp, Cam Newton easily emerged as the starter over Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer.
But in 2021, Patriots fans are being treated to their first quarterback competition in decades.
Newton is trying to win the starting job over first-round rookie Mac Jones. The 15th overall pick was the fifth quarterback off the board in the quarterback-rich 2021 NFL Draft and played at Alabama under Nick Saban, who is friendly with Belichick.