The change at quarterback — poised, accurate rookie Mac Jones in, charismatic, scattershot veteran Cam Newton out of Foxborough altogether — is confirmation that something even more important hasn’t changed with the Patriots.
The best player plays.
That is a core tenet of Bill Belichick’s legendary tenure as Patriots coach, and while that might seem like a simple edict easily abided, there are many variables that can morph into obstacles when constructing a 53-man roster.
A player’s contract situation, stature among his colleagues, draft position, experience level, and more can affect and sometimes cloud a coach’s decision-making.