By Kevin J. Stone/@kstone06/@newftbj

I was hoping it wouldn’t come to this.

Free agency doesn’t start for another two weeks (technically,) but if you’re to believe many of the swirling reports, Tom Brady is as good as gone.

While of course there is always the chance that Robert Kraft swoops in last minute to save the day, I believe the lack of ass-kissing from Belichick towards Brady is ultimately going to lead to the GOAT leaving town while BB tries to prove he need needed Tom after all.

If and when that happens, reality will quickly set in for those who were certain he was staying that someone else now needs to take over under center. Of course Jarret Stidham has been in the system and learned under TB12 – albeit probably not that much in what was a tumultuous year – but if he’s not ready then what? 

The draft is an option, but I don’t believe Belichick isn’t going to want to start from scratch while getting older and chasing Don Shula’s career wins record. So, that means that there may be a veteran taking snaps when the Pats open in September.

Here’s a look at some of my favorite options (or at least ones that I could stomach) that the Patriots may need to explore sooner rather than later:

MATT STAFFORD – It took me a while to come around, but this is by far my favorite option for the Patriots. Not only does Matt Patricia have the ability to save the Patriots’ future by dealing Stafford to his old team, but by moving Stafford he can put his biggest stamp on the Lions thus far by picking his own QB.

Stafford has injury history and is perceived as a losing player, but that’s simply because people are looking at him through Lions’ colored glasses. Stafford has thrown for 4,000 yards seven times (5,038 in 2011) and has thrown at least 20 touchdowns in eight of his 11 seasons. The wear and tear is certainly a concern, but he’s still fairly young.

If not for a referee screw job against the Cowboys in the playoffs a few years ago, who knows what playoff accolades he’d have on his resume. Stidham or a rookie QB suiting up for the Pats just isn’t going to fly when the team starts out 1-5, so bringing in an established gunslinger like Stafford makes the most sense in my opinion if Patricia and BB can work something out.

JAMEIS WINSTON – Hear me out. I’m not ignoring the 30 interceptions. I’m not ignoring the “eating of W’s” after games. I’m not ignoring the crab legs. BUT, he did throw for 30 TD’s last season and is only entering his sixth year in the league. The immaturity issues are still a huge red flag and he may be in that Jamarcus Russell ‘ultimately a huge bust’ class, but I’m not willing to admit that yet.

Last year he threw for a ridiculous 5,109 yards. Tom Brady threw for 5,000+ yards once in 2011 – his 12th year in the league. Winston has thrown for 4,000 yards twice and 3,000 yards once. 

Brady has also had 10 years of double-digit interceptions in his career, so no one’s perfect. Winston has displayed enough talent and arm strength to be a legitimate factor, and I believe with Belichick in his ear he could get more out of him. It’s not my favorite option, but I can be talked into it.

RYAN TANNEHILL – I don’t love it, but after watching what he did last year with the Titans, you could do worse. Tannehill will never be a superstar, but he’s thrown for over 3,000 yards in four of his seven years in the league and has 20+ TD passes in four of those seasons as well. Give him a legitimate head coach and sustained reps and he may help you get to 10-6, 11-5 and a division title assuming Buffalo takes a step back.

MARCUS MARIOTA – He’s in the same category as Winton for me. I don’t love it but I don’t entirely hate it. I don’t think he’s ever really been able to show just how talented he is playing with a mediocre Tennessee offense, but the soft label on him is definitely a concern.

Going back to the original point of Stidham or a rookie taking over, at least Mariota has been there and done it now for five years. Mariota has mustered 3,000+ yards only twice, but he did throw for 26 TD’s in 2016. 

Given the opportunity to play consistently and work with Josh McDaniels I do think Mariota could have more to showcase, I’m just not sure he could mentally handle New England’s fan base ripping him when they go 9-7.

DEREK CARR – He’s a sneaky possibility for me. I’ve always thought Carr was a bit underrated. It’s hard to stand out with some pretty brutal receiving cores in Oakland and now Las Vegas, but he’s not that bad.

Carr has at least 3,000 yards in all six of his NFL seasons so far, including two 4,000+ yard seasons. Carr’s also thrown for 20+ TD’s in five of those six seasons and 19 in the other one. He threw just eight interceptions a year ago and was at 70.4% completion percentage last year on a 7-9 team. 

Much like Mariota, I feel like Carr just needs some consistency around him to truly showcase what he can do. I’d take him over Mariota and Tannehill, but I also acknowledge that much like Marcus I’m not sure he could handle the scrutiny here in New England.

Of course, Bill Belichick will probably do something no one could’ve predicted or sign/draft someone no one’s heard of and turn him into a Super Bowl MVP within the next three years, but for now these appear to be some of the best options for the suddenly rebuilding Patriots if they don’t want to go the Stidham or rookie route.