Patriots helmet Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The New England Patriots have been widely expected to select a rookie quarterback with the No. 3 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. And while it sounds like that’s likely going to be the case, a recent report suggests that the team will also be signing a veteran quarterback who could start for the team next season.

According to a report from Masslive, the New England Patriots are expected to select a rookie quarterback with the No. 3 overall pick in the draft – likely either Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels, depending on who falls – but they will also be signing a veteran free agent quarterback who could start for the team next season to allow the rookie to develop.

“Drafting a signal caller is only one step in this process. According to a source, the Patriots plan on signing a veteran free agent quarterback, too. The team is in no rush to start a rookie immediately and could play that veteran if they think it would benefit the younger quarterback to sit for a season,” Masslive reported on Thursday.

Obviously, this is a significant move from the Patriots and it led to a lot of reactions on social media as a result.

We’ll have to see who the Patriots decide to sign, but Joe Flacco and Jacoby Brissett were two options reported by Masslive.

[Masslive]