Bill Belichick refused to rule out the possibility of the Patriots using a platoon system at quarterback in the opening weeks of the 2020 NFL season.
Following the departure of Tom Brady to the Buccaneers, the Patriots have signed Brian Hoyer and Cam Newton to join Jarrett Stidham on the depth chart at the position.
The trio have been sharing reps during training camp but the cancellation of exhibition games amid the coronavirus pandemic has denied them the chance to play before Week 1 of the regular season.
Belichick has a decision to make over who starts, though the coach made clear during a media call Wednesday that he will do whatever gives his team the best chance of winning, including using more than one option in games.
"It might [be a benefit]," Belichick told the media when asked about the possibility of utilizing multiple quarterbacks.
"Look, I always say, I'll do what I think is best for the team, what gives us the best chance to win. So, whatever that is, I would certainly consider that. If it's run unbalanced line, or double unbalanced line, or 23 personnel, whatever it is. If it helps us win, then I would consider anything."
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Newton, the NFL's MVP in 2015, signed with New England on July 8 after being released by the Panthers. Hoyer is in his third stint with the franchise, while Stidham was a fourth-round pick in the 2019 draft who completed just two passes last season while serving as Brady's backup.
"Right now, we want to try and give everybody an opportunity to work out the basics. We are really doing that at all the positions," Belichick said of the quarterback situation. "Everybody is rotating through, we're trying to give everybody an opportunity to run the basic plays and get the fundamentals down.
"Of course, at some point we will have to not equalize the reps, that's obvious, but we're not there now."
The Patriots are scheduled to open their season against the Dolphins on Sept. 13.