The New England Patriots caught Oregon State quarterback Jake Luton off guard. The team pulled aside Luton for a 15-minute, informal interview, and while those meetings are typically a game of get-to-know-you, the quarterback faced a tough question from one of New England’s scouts.
They asked, point-blank, how Luton would feel about replacing Tom Brady, a quarterback who’s had an unprecedented amount of success with six Super Bowl wins with the Patriots.
“I think that was a great question,” Luton told Patriots Wire during a meeting with the media at the 2020 NFL combine on Tuesday. “It was a fair question for them to ask.”
Brady is set to enter free agency in March, and while the Patriots can certainly bring him back next season, they will eventually have to replace the 42-year-old quarterback, whether it’s this year or in the future.
So… how did Luton, a potential late-round pick, respond to the question?
“Those are big shoes to fill. But for me, I’m a pretty even-keeled guy. I kind of reiterated that,” he said. “I’m going to be consistent. I’m going to be prepared as best as I can be. I’ve never let any of the outside noise distract me, so I don’t think that would be an issue. I’d bring it every day and prove that I’m a leader, no matter if it’s a high or a low. Keep doing it every day, however that works out. I’m not going to worry about filling anyone’s shoes. Just doing the best that I can do.”
Luton is a unique prospect. Not only did he spend six years in college (Idaho and Oregon State) due to injuries, but he is also 6-foot-7, a height that has been practically prohibitive for NFL prospects in the past. He said he expected to face more tough questions this week about his injury history, especially considering he suffered a forearm injury and missed his final college game, a bowl matchup against Oregon. He finished his final college season with 2,714 passing yards, 28 touchdowns and three interceptions.
“I’ve seen (the injury history) as a positive thing,” Luton said. “I’ve persevered through a lot of things. I’ve proved that I’m tough. I’ve proved that I love the game of football, and I’m going to battle back from any injury, any circumstance to keep playing the game that I love.”
If he answered the question about Brady’s departure to the Patriots’ liking, perhaps they’ll consider giving Luton a chance to play more football in New England, even if him replacing Brady feels like a long shot.
