UPDATE, April 30: The Bengals are releasing Andy Dalton. The odds below shouldn’t change much, but it’s notable news.
UPDATE, April 23: The NFL Draft gets underway this evening, and the Patriots have kept their intentions well-hidden. Stidham remains the favorite to claim the Week 1 starting job with -305 odds. However, Cam Newton has leap-frogged Andy Dalton and Brian Hoyer and is now second at +800. Jordan Love is tops among draft prospects, followed by a tie between Jake Fromm, Justin Herbert, and Tua Tagovailoa. The Patriots are a decent bet to do some dealing, but it’s tough to tell where at this point. Here’s the full list of updated Week 1 QB odds
Jarrett Stidham: -305
Cam Newton: +800
Brian Hoyer: +1000
Andy Dalton: +1600
Jacoby Brissett: +2000
Jordan Love: +2500
Jake Fromm: +3300
Justin Herbert: +3300
Tua Tagovailoa: +3300
Jameis Winston: +3300
Jacob Eason: +5000
Jalen Hurts: +5000
Cody Kessler: +10000
The New England Patriots parted ways with future Hall of Famer Tom Brady this offseason, and for the second time since 2001, they will have someone not named Tom Brady starting at quarterback when Week 1 arrives. The question right now is who that quarterback will be.
Following Brady’s departure, the team signed Brian Hoyer to a one-year contract. Their QB depth chart at that point included Hoyer, Jarrett Stidham and Cody Kessler. However, on Wednesday, the Patriots decided to release Kessler, according to NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport.
Last month, the Washington Post reported the Patriots were probably done at the QB position, but the “plan could be flexible.” Andy Dalton is still available via trade, and Cam Newton and Jameis Winston are both free agents. People have speculated why all three make sense with Bill Belichick, but there have been no real rumors connecting them to the team.
The Patriots currently hold the 23rd overall pick in a draft that could see the top prospects gone before New England has a chance to grab one. They could move up, but Jordan Love maybe, Jacob Eason, Jake Fromm, and Jalen Hurts are the remaining names potentially on their radar.
DraftKings Sportsbook is offering odds on which of the following quarterbacks will be the starter when Week 1 arrives. Stidham is a sizable favorite for the time being. If the team went the draft route, he and Hoyer make the most sense for Week 1. But a Dalton trade or Newton or Winston signing should not be written off entirely. They’re longer odds for a reason, but worth considering.
Here’s the full list of odds as of Cody Kessler being released (he was listed at +2500 before being removed).
Jarrett Stidham: -305
Brian Hoyer: +1000
Andy Dalton: +1200
Cam Newton: +1200
Jacoby Brissett: +1600
Justin Herbert: +2000
Tua Tagovailoa: +3000
Jacob Eason: +3300
Jake Fromm: +3300
Jordan Love: +3300
Jameis Winston: +3300
Jalen Hurts: +5000
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