For almost two decades now, the quarterback position in New England has been arguably the dullest training camp “battle” in the entire NFL. That’s what happens when an unheralded sixth-round draft pick out of Michigan leads your team to three Super Bowl wins in four years – the most important position in professional sports suddenly becomes significantly less important.
This is not to say, of course, that the Patriots have taken advantage of Tom Brady, or failed to keep him at the forefront of the team’s collective thoughts, hopes, and operations.
It just means that while most every other franchise in the league is constantly searching for the bedrock of their foundation – both in the present and for the future – the New England Patriots have had the luck and luxury of knowing they have a proven commodity in Brady, and instead can focus their attention elsewhere around the roster.