Jarrett Stidham, Teddy Bridgewater favored as Patriots' starting quarterback in 2020

Stunning news on St. Patrick's Day as Tom Brady announced on social media that he would not be returning to the New England Patriots next season and sign elsewhere in free agency, most likely with the Tampa Bay Bucs or Los Angeles Chargers.

Where will the Patriots turn in 2020? The early co-favorites to take the first snap of Week 1 via SportsLine NFL oddsmakers are current Patriot Jarrett Stidham and free agent Teddy Bridgewater, both at +300 (3/1).

Stidham was a fourth-round pick last season out of Auburn and was excellent in the preseason. He attempted just four regular-season passes, though. The Patriots still seem to be in win-now mode, and would Bill Belichick really turn his team over to such an inexperienced quarterback? Then again, the Patriots won 11 games in 2008 when Brady was lost to a season-ending injury in Week 1 and Matt Cassel took over. He hadn't started a game since high school!

Bridgewater was 5-0 as a starter last season with the Saints when Drew Brees was out injured. There were early reports that Bridgewater was close to signing with the Chicago Bears on Monday, but that never came to fruition. The problem with Bridgewater is that he will demand north of $20 million per season and the Patriots are among the teams in the league with the least amount of salary-cap space.

Belichick is known to be fond of Cincinnati's Andy Dalton, and he's +400 to be the Patriots' starter in 2020. Dalton could be had for a song in trade for the Bengals, who are going to take LSU quarterback Joe Burrow at No. 1 in the 2020 NFL Draft. Dalton has plenty of postseason experience, although he has never won a playoff game.

If Brady were to sign with the Las Vegas Raiders, could L.A. then ship Derek Carr (+700) to New England? If Brady goes to Tampa Bay, the Bucs will have no use for Jameis Winston (+900). Philip Rivers (+1500) is available, but he's likely heading to the Colts. Moving way up in the 2020 draft and landing Tua Tagovailoa (+2000) is probably a pipe dream.

The SportsLine Projection Model has the Patriots slipping from 10.1 wins this coming season to 9.3 for now, but that could change depending on which QB they go with. The Model has New England now second in the AFC East behind Buffalo.

Who will New England's starting quarterback in Week 1 of the 2020 season be?

• Teddy Bridgewater +300
• Jarrett Stidham +300
• Andy Dalton +400
• Derek Carr +700
• Jameis Winston +900
• Philip Rivers +1500
• Tua Tagovailoa +2000