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          New England Patriots

          History of Patriots and keeping 3 QBs

          • Mike Reiss, ESPN Staff WriterMay 26, 2014, 12:45 AM ET
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              Mike Reiss is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the New England Patriots. Reiss has covered the Patriots since 1997 and joined ESPN in 2009. In 2019, he was named Massachusetts Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. You can follow Reiss on Twitter at @MikeReiss.
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          The New England Patriots' official website is asking the question "Is three quarterbacks a crowd?"

          The question is a follow-up on Bill Belichick's remarks that the Patriots aren't really that interested in trading No. 2 quarterback Ryan Mallett. With the team drafting Jimmy Garoppolo in the second round (62nd overall), and with Tom Brady entrenched as the starter, it sets up a scenario in which the club will likely carry three quarterbacks in 2014.

          With this in mind, here is a look at the team's history at the quarterback position under Belichick:

          2013: 2 (Brady/Mallett)

          2012: 2 (Brady/Mallett)

          2011: 3 (Brady/Brian Hoyer/Mallett)

          2010: 2 (Brady/Hoyer)

          2009: 2 (Brady/Hoyer)

          2008: 3 (Brady/Cassel/Kevin O'Connell)

          2007: 3 (Brady/Cassel/Matt Gutierrez)

          2006: 2/3 (Brady/Matt Cassel -- Testaverde/mid-year)

          2005: 3 (Brady/Cassel/Doug Flutie)

          2004: 3 (Brady/Rohan Davey/Jim Miller)

          2003: 3 (Brady/Davey/Damon Huard)

          2002: 3 (Brady/Davey/Huard)

          2001: 3 (Drew Bledsoe/Brady/Huard)

          2000: 4 (Bledsoe/John Friesz/Michael Bishop/Brady)