Preseason stats often mean very little, not resembling later performances in real games. First impressions, however, can shape how certain players are viewed, especially with rookie quarterbacks.

Patriots rookie quarterback Jarrett Stidham nailed that first impression.

Stidham, who was picked in the fourth round out of Auburn, entered the Patriots’ 31-3 win over the Lions midway through the second quarter on Thursday — which happened to be his 23rd birthday — and played the rest of the way. It was his first live-game action in the NFL, but it didn’t show. He finished 14 for 24 for 179 yards and a touchdown.

“I had a great time,” Stidham told reporters. “This is my first NFL experience, getting to play. There are a lot of things to improve on, but overall it was a lot of fun. It was a great experience.”

Stidham’s stat line was eerily similar to the pro debut of another one-time New England youngster: Jimmy Garoppolo. The now-49ers signal-caller was 9 for 13 for 157 yards and a TD in his first preseason game. Like Garoppolo, Stidham has emerged as an early leader among fellow rookies, and put that poise on display Thursday night.

“That’s our guy,” wide receiver Gunner Olszewski told reporters. “That’s our leader. He always takes command of the huddle every time he’s in there with us younger guys. He’s a younger guy too, but he does a good job of calming everybody else down and telling us, ‘Here we go. Let’s do it.’ He’s done a good job of just taking the reins of our rookie class, our basic group. He runs it. He’s done a great job. I’d follow that guy anywhere.”

Tom Brady is firmly entrenched as the starter in New England. But Stidham should be able to give veteran Brian Hoyer a legitimate challenge for backup responsibilities. He already has stolen some second-team reps from the 33-year-old, and that should only increase with his latest performance.

However, Tom Brady is 42, and while he claims he intends to play until he’s 45, the Patriots seemingly will have to replace him at some point. In the big picture, Stidham’s task will be to prove he can be Brady’s replacement, as many thought Garoppolo could be. For now, he said he has his sights on improving every day and winning the backup job.

“Obviously, I’m in a new offense, so just to learn everything as a whole and kind of how we operate — sitting in the pocket and trying to make the throws when I can,” Stidham said. “From day one to now, I’ve grown so much. I’ve got to continue to grow.”