Bill Belichick refused to rule out the possibility of the New England Patriots using a platoon system at quarterback in the opening weeks of the new NFL season.

Following the departure of Tom Brady to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Patriots have signed Brian Hoyer and Cam Newton to join Jarrett Stidham on the depth chart at the position.

The trio have been sharing reps during training camp but the cancellation of the preseason amid the coronavirus pandemic has denied them the chance to play before Week 1 of the 2020 campaign.

Head coach Belichick has a decision to make over who starts, though made clear during a media call on Wednesday that he will do whatever gives his team the best chance of winning - including using more than one option in games.

"It might [be a benefit]," Belichick told the media when asked about the possibility of utilising multiple quarterbacks.

"Look, I always say, I'll do what I think is best for the team, what gives us the best chance to win. So, whatever that is, I would certainly consider that.

"If it's run unbalanced line, or double unbalanced line, or 23 personnel. Whatever it is. If it helps us win, then I would consider anything."

Former NFL MVP Newton signed with New England on July 8 after being released by the Carolina Panthers.

Hoyer is in his third stint with the franchise, while Stidham was a fourth-round pick in the 2019 draft who completed just two passes last season while serving as Brady's back-up.

"Right now, we want to try and give everybody an opportunity to work out the basics. We are really doing that at all the positions," Belichick said of the quarterback situation.

"Everybody is rotating through, we're trying to give everybody an opportunity to run the basic plays and get the fundamentals down.

"Of course, at some point we will have to not equalise the reps, that's obvious, but we're not there now."

The Patriots open the campaign against the Miami Dolphins on September 13.