Belichick opens door for Patriots to use Stidham: 'We'll see'

Unlike previous weeks, New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick didn't shut the door Monday on giving sophomore quarterback Jarrett Stidham extended playing time.

"Yeah, we'll see," he told reporters, according to Nick O'Malley of MassLive.

Belichick has defiantly backed Cam Newton throughout the season despite the Patriots' offensive woes. The longtime sideline boss declared Newton "our quarterback" after a blowout loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 14 as questions about Stidham persisted.

However, the Patriots were eliminated from playoff contention with a Week 15 loss to the Miami Dolphins and Newton - a pending free agent - isn't guaranteed to return in 2021.

Stidham, a fourth-round pick in 2019, has played almost exclusively in garbage time this year. The Auburn product has gone 18 of 33 for 212 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions.

Belichick was noncommittal when asked if the Patriots would like to have a starter set in stone for Week 16.

"We haven't set any timeframe on that," he said. "I don't really see it going that way. We'll go through our normal weekly process and make the decisions that we feel are best for the game - in everything."

New England, who hasn't scored an offensive touchdown since their 45-0 trouncing of the Los Angeles Chargers on Dec. 6, ranks 27th leaguewide in points per game.