Patriots 2021 starting QB odds: Watson, Lawrence favored in star-studded field

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After two decades with Tom Brady at the helm, the Patriots will enter this season with a new quarterback. Oddsmakers expect a new one the following year, too.

Deshaun Watson (+350) is the early favorite to take the reins in New England in 2021, the final year of his rookie deal with the Texans. He's followed by current Pats QB Jarrett Stidham (+500), the likely starter in 2020, and potential No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence (+500) out of Clemson.

Stidham is a worthwhile bet at this stage, but the other two would require a wild trade or unforeseen tank job by New England. Is there value elsewhere? Here are the odds for the Patriots' 2021 starter, with a few potential early options outside of the top three favorites:

Jacoby Brissett (+1100)

This is such a slam-dunk bet that I'm surprised it's not the favorite. New England selected Brissett in the third round of the 2016 draft before shipping him to Indianapolis, where he started 30 games over the last three years with mixed results.

Brissett has his limitations, but he flashed the upside of an above-average QB last season and could benefit from a simplified approach under the Patriots' offensive staff. His contract expires after this year, and he's likely lost his grip on the Colts' job, opening the door for a New England return. At 11-1 odds, this is a bet worth making.

Matthew Stafford (+1200)

Most QB-to-Foxborough rumors are garbage, but the Stafford buzz at least makes some sense on the surface: the Lions haven't won a playoff game since 1991, and they could look for new life at the quarterback position after this season - especially if Stafford can't stay healthy.

Could former Patriots assistant Matt Patricia ship his starting signal-caller back to his old boss as part of a reset for the franchise? It might make sense for both sides, though maybe not enough to pay a relatively short price at 12-1.

Brian Hoyer (+2000)

So what if Hoyer would be 35 by the start of the 2021 season? He can't seem to quit the Patriots, who have employed him three different times over the last 11 years and will give him a chance to compete for the starting job this season.

If he does wrestle the starting job away from Stidham this year, 20-1 odds will look foolish next summer. Even if he doesn't, there's enough interest from both sides each year that Hoyer should always be in the discussion as a Week 1 starter.

C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.