Report: Patriots Would Only Add Quarterback As 'Last Resort,' Would Be 'Comfortable' With Edelman At QB
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Patriots brought two quarterbacks in for workouts last week with a shortened preparation time for Thursday's game against the Houston Texans, but didn't sign anyone. Now, with a full week to prepare for the Buffalo Bills, the team's plans to possibly add another QB have not changed.
Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio reported late Sunday that a "source with knowledge of the situation" says the Patriots do not plan to add another quarterback unless it is done as a "last resort." The top priority for the team is to ensure that either Jimmy Garoppolo, Jacoby Brissett, or both QBs are ready to go against the Bills on Sunday at Gillette Stadium.
Florio discussed his report on Sunday Night Football, adding that the Patriots may even favor playing Julian Edelman at quarterback over an outside free agent addition, due to his deeper knowledge of the Patriots offense. But, as long as either Garoppolo or Brissett is able to play through their injuries, don't expect any throws from No. 11 on Sunday.
"You bring someone in who hasn't been on the team, that person is going to have to get up to speed and have a limited knowledge and understanding of the playbook," said Florio. "So, they are comfortable, if they have to, going with Julian Edelman. But goal No. 1 is to get either Garoppolo or Brissett ready for next Sunday."
UPDATE: ESPN's Dianna Russini tweeted Monday afternoon that the Patriots are "feeling good" about the health of both Garoppolo and Brissett for this week, adding that the Patriots are more concerned about adding help on the defensive line than at quarterback.
Garoppolo continues to recover from a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder that he suffered in Week 2 against the Miami Dolphins and did not dress against the Texans on Thursday. Brissett, meanwhile, suffered a thumb injury against Houston that is not believed to be serious. The team's lack of interest in signing another QB bodes well for either Garoppolo or Brissett to be ready for Sunday, the final game of Tom Brady's four-game suspension.
Expect more questions and mystery surrounding the Patriots' quarterback situation as the week goes on and the team gets ready for Buffalo. But don't ask Bills head coach Rex Ryan - if it's not Brady, he doesn't care.
