Patriots Signing Statistically Horrible College QB Proves Bill Belichick is Lost

The New England Patriots surprisingly completed the 2020 NFL Draft without taking a quarterback. That left Bill Belichick with a depth chart of Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer.

In a belated effort to rectify things, the team quickly signed Louisiana Tech quarterback J'Mar Smith as an undrafted free agent. Another move came Sunday, as Belichick's supposed master plan continued with the signing of Michigan State signal-caller Brian Lewerke. This is not what Patriots fans had in mind when Tom Brady headed to Florida.

The former Spartan did not exactly shine in college. He had a career 57.7% completion percentage and threw 17 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 13 games last season. The 6-3 quarterback is nowhere near ready to start in the NFL, and fans in New England have to be getting concerned.

Players like Cam Newton and Jameis Winston were still available to sign for most of the offseason (Newton's still free!), and the Patriots have assembled a quarterback room with two rookies, a 23-year-old Stidham, and Hoyer. The ultimate optimist will cite the fact Brady came out of nowhere to become a superstar. That could happen with Lewerke, but his play in college wasn't even good enough to get him drafted, or prevent MSU from a depressing backslide.

Belichick is setting his team up for a severe drop in production at the quarterback position. Signing Smith and Lewerke instead of drafting a quarterback is confusing, as well as concerning for the future of the franchise.