Patriots Cam Newton's impressed with Jarrett Stidham's growth

Jarrett Stidham finally got back into an NFL game and it didn’t take long for him to get a harsh welcome.

The first snap Stidham saw on Sunday, he was leveled by Joey Bosa, a 6-foot-5, 280-pound defensive end. The second-year quarterback released the ball before the crushing blow. That pass attempt turned out to be his only incomplete pass of the evening.

After picking himself back up, Stidham completed the only two passes he'd attempt against the Los Angeles Chargers. That included a 38-yard touchdown pass to Gunner Olszewski. It was a nice moment for Stidham and one that also pumped up Cam Newton. The Patriots starting quarterback ran onto the field to celebrate with his backup.

On Tuesday, Newton said he thought the moment was a good sign for Stidham’s development.

“Man, I’m so proud of Stid, man,” said Newton on WEEI’s ‘Greg Hill Show’. “We had a chat (Monday) in the QB room, and honestly, his growth and his development is something that really caught my attention. Because I’ve known him enough to know I don’t know if he makes that throw or able to stay in that pocket — a murky pocket, for what it was — and fire an absolute strike to Gun Show.”

Newton easily beat out Stidham for the Patriots starting job this summer. It wasn’t a great training camp for Stidham, who also initially lost the backup job to Brian Hoyer. Stidham won the backup job following the Patriots loss in Kansas City. Stidham relieved Hoyer that night, but completed just 38.5% of his passes (5/13) for 60 yards to go with a touchdown and two interceptions. He wasn't much better when he replaced Newton in Week 7, against San Francisco, completing 6/10 passes for 60 yards and another interception.

Hoyer didn’t see any action over the previous five games before getting another shot on Sunday. After being hit on his first throw, Stidham finished 2/3 for 61 yards with that touchdown pass.

“The first play he was in, he got hit and was down on the ground,” Newton said. “And for him to bounce back from that, it just speaks volumes of his growth. I’m always a (proponent) of winning football, and just to see him grow is something that I’m extremely pleased about.”