Patriots Reportedly Cut Backup QB Cody Kessler

The New England Patriots have featured a revolving door of options behind Tom Brady this season ever since slicing veteran Brian Hoyer, who then went to Indianapolis in the wake of Andrew Luck's shocking retirement.

We've seen Jarrett Stidham, 2019's fourth-round pick, in action, but he remained uninspiring and raw, getting chased from his brief appearance at home against the Jets. After that outing, New England went and grabbed veteran backup Cody Kessler.

I guess things have shifted within the front office, however, as Kessler is reportedly on the outs as of Tuesday afternoon.

The majority of Kessler's NFL work came with the Browns in 2016, posting 1,380 yards in what was otherwise a lost season. He also relieved Blake Bortles last year in Jacksonville, increasing the team's success by a wide margin, though his numbers were still pedestrian.

This move will help get Ben Watson back on the roster, after he, too, was unceremoniously released last week.

Though we're unsure if New England will add another veteran, this would seem to be another endorsement of Stidham in the short term.