INDIANAPOLIS — Tom Brady is 40 years old, Jimmy Garoppolo is a San Francisco 49er and Brian Hoyer is best suited as a backup. The New England Patriots know they need a young quarterback, right?
Since offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and most of the Patriots’ offensive coaching staff didn’t travel to Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine, it doesn’t appear New England is meeting with quarterbacks, at least formally, at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Memphis QB prospect Riley Ferguson said the Patriots probably are the only team he hasn’t met with. Toledo’s Logan Woodside said something similar to reporters. Louisville’s Lamar Jackson said he hasn’t met with the Patriots, Richmond’s Kyle Lauletta said he doesn’t have anything formal set up, though he did talk to some scouts, and Washington State’s Luke Falk said he hasn’t met with New England and doesn’t have anything set up. Oklahoma State’s Mason Rudolph declined to reveal which teams he’s met with.
The Patriots did meet with quarterbacks at the Senior Bowl, and it’s possible they plan to talk X’s and O’s with these players at their pro days or at private visits or workouts. But it’s at least notable that the Patriots appear to be punting on QBs when all of them are gathered in the same city for nearly a week.
