Patriots Audition QB Matt Barkley

The Patriots worked out quarterbacks Matt Barkley, Matt McGloin, and David Fales on Friday, a source tells Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link).Matt Barkley (Vertical)

New England only has two quarterbacks on its roster after trading third-stringer Jacoby Brissett for wide receiver Phillip Dorsett last week, so the club is likely searching for depth. Of course, the Patriots’ top two signal-callers are Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo, so while they don’t need an immediate arm, the team is simply keeping its options open.

All three of Barkley (49ers), McGloin (Eagles), and Fales (Dolphins) were released by their respective clubs during final cutdowns. Barkley and McGloin are far more experienced than Fales, as both have started at least six career games and attempted at least 250 passes. Fales, on the other hand, has tossed only five passes in his career, all of which came in 2016 with the Bears.

Quarterback wasn’t the only position New England addressed in today’s workouts — the Patriots also took a look at former Browns receiver Jordan Payton, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). However, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com doesn’t expect the club to add an outside pass-catcher, even given the injuries to Julian Edelman, Malcolm Mitchell, and Danny Amendola.

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