Let’s just get out ahead of this early. Everyone likes to be first, me included, so if and when this happens I want to be on that short list. If it doesn’t, it’s not the first time I’ve been wrong and sure as hell won’t be the last.

If The Patriots lose to the Jets on Sunday, dropping to 2-5 overall and 0-5 at home and the offensive line woes continue for another few weeks after that, when do we start asking to see Jarrett Stidham or even Brian Hoyer a bit? It may have nothing to do with how Mac Jones actually plays either, but do you really want to continue risking the health of your presumed franchise quarterback if you’re staring at a 2-8 record soon? Jones has undoubtedly shown he is tough enough to play in the NFL, but as this offensive line continues to put him in danger of serious injury and the receiver group still lacks that No. 1 guy, there may be no denying where this season is headed. Stidham was back at practice on Wednesday and while it obviously shouldn’t happen now, the question may need to be asked sooner than people might like to admit.

Jones has already been sacked 13 times totaling 103 yards lost this season with no real light at the end of the tunnel as far as the line is concerned. Everyone saw the hit he took to the ribs last Sunday against Dallas, it was stunning he even got up, let alone almost won them the game. None of this is really a question or an indictment on him, but more so just looking out for the future, something the team already screwed up once with Cam as the answer to Tom.

Say what you will about Brian Hoyer, but he’s proven he’s tough enough to stay in this league for a long time and we can all admit the offense moved well in that Kansas City game last year until the red zone seemingly made the veteran quarterback lose his mind. Still, if the Patriots lose to the Jets, Chargers, Panthers and Browns, why not let Hoyer take some of the lumps for a 2-8 team? Or at least take a load off the kid in the second half if you’re out of games against the Titans and Bills (twice) or Colts.

Stidham of course is a much bigger question mark, at least you know what you’re getting with Hoyer if things get ugly enough to go this route. The only thing I can really say for sure about Stidham is the ball came out very quickly in the short window the media had to watch warmups on Wednesday. It looks much different than Mac’s delivery, and it could eventually be something to consider if there’s still questions about whether Jones’ arm and body can last in the NFL. At first glance even if you know nothing about the game, you can see it’s faster coming from Stidham. There’s a reason Bill’s kept him around, we just don’t know what it is yet. Maybe another lost season is his ticket to showing he can play a bit.

This is all really just a long way of saying that this season could get out of hand quickly with a loss on Sunday. I’d also like to clarify that I’m not suggesting fully benching Jones either if the team continues to slide. I’d go with more of a split half thing if New England is simply playing for a draft pick in another month or so. It’s either that or put Jones in more terrible situations and therefore put the 2022 season at risk, which would you rather?

There’s still reason to believe that New York will be the cure for what ails the Patriots right now and 3-4 will feel much better than 2-5 and the almost 700 words you just read were a complete waste of time. However, if this season is heading in the direction it appears to be at the moment, there should be some serious thought put into limiting the workload on Jones if things get out of hand.