The Facts: The Patriots currently have journeyman Brian Hoyer and an unproven Stidham at QB. Whether the Patriots add a rookie or a veteran to the mix, the team will have a quarterback competition for the first time since 2001 when Brady was in his second season. “Well, we’ve spent quite a bit of time with both Brian and Stid,” HC Bill Belichick said Monday. “I think we have a pretty good – [offensive coordinator] Josh [McDaniels] and myself – certainly have a pretty good feel for both those players. The circumstances will be different this year, and we’ll see how everything plays out. But again, to start with, I think the main thing is to give everyone a chance to compete, to get people comfortable with the position and the skills that they’re playing, the communication that’s involved."

Diehards Line: Belichick continued: "We’ll evaluate the players as we get an opportunity to evaluate them. So, right now, the spring will be about teaching the best that we can. At whatever point we get a chance to get on the field and participate and play, then that’s what we’ll do. But, not sure exactly how that’s going to go. Once we figure it out, then we’ll work from there.” Hoyer, 34, has played for seven teams in 11 seasons, started 38 games, won 16 games and has an 0-1 mark as a postseason starter. Stidham, a fourth-round choice last season, played 15 snaps in three games as a rookie, going 2-for-4 for 14 yards and an interception. As PFT notes, Cam Newton and Jameis Winston remain free agents, and the Bengals still are shopping Andy Dalton. But the Patriots have so far shown no interest in any of the veteran quarterbacks available.