The draft is over and teams appear to be set with their starting quarterbacks for the 2020 season. But Cam Newton is still on the market, and per Joe Person of The Athletic, the former Panthers star is not willing to accept a backup job (Twitter link).
This is largely in keeping with a report from late last month indicating that Newton is looking for a starting gig. However, there’s quite a difference between “looking for” a certain role and refusing to accept anything less. That difference is especially pronounced when considering that all QB1 spots are currently taken.
Newton’s market has clearly been depressed by the COVID-19 pandemic, as interested teams are unable to bring him in for a physical to see if he is fully recovered from the significant injuries he has battled over the past several seasons. The soon-to-be 31-year-old has expressed a willingness to be patient, and as Person observes, Newton may have to wait until a starting QB gets hurt before signing with a new club.
Theoretically, underperformance from a current QB1 could also trigger a Newton signing. The Chargers may have No. 6 overall pick Justin Herbert sit behind Tyrod Taylor for a season while Herbert gets acclimated to the pro game, but the Bolts are built to win now, so if Newton is healthy, he would certainly offer the team a better chance of advancing to the postseason than Taylor. And while the Patriots have done nothing to indicate that they are looking for an upgrade over second-year signal-caller Jarrett Stidham and his veteran mentor, Brian Hoyer, a healthy Newton would be undeniably tempting for Bill Belichick & Co.
The Redskins, who employ Newton’s former boss, Ron Rivera, are also rostering Kyle Allen, who replaced Newton in Carolina after Week 2 of the 2019 season. Washington hopes rising sophomore Dwayne Haskins will be the long-term solution under center, but Rivera has not ruled out a Newton signing, which could be in the cards if Haskins struggles in camp.
If no starter sustains a season-long injury, and if teams remain content with their current situations, it will be interesting to see if Newton opts to sit out the season and return to a less crowded QB market in 2021.
So no Pats or Jags?
Pats don’t have the cap space for him and as for the jags it’s mind blowing that they have no interest in him
It’s not all that mind blowing if you’ve watched him the last two years. Some of his “performances” were unwatchable. He was never a great passer, and the shoulder injury robbed him of the ability to throw downfield. The foot injury and his age have eliminated much of his threat on the ground. Doesn’t leave him with much to offer.
You’re right cam newton right now is what Lamar Jackson will be in a couple years
The historical longevity of “mobile” QBs in the NFL is poor.
I think the Jags are also trying to position themselves to get a high draft pick this season. Adding Newton could give them enough wins to lose out on Lawrence/Fields or whoever ends up as the top tier QB. They really didn’t make any “win now” off-season moves.
Also Minshew had a better rookie season than Cams had the past 2 years
Jkoms, check the stats. Minshew was not better than Cam. Last year, sure because cam played all of two games. But 2018 Cam stats are better than Minshew across the board except INTs. Minshew mania came on strong, but let’s see how he does now that there is tape on him. He only won 2 games the second half of the season and that was against the raiders and colts week 17.
or maybe it not about tanking. maybe they have a young QB they want give a look at who had a pretty decent season for a late round pick. maybe they dont wanna sign a QB who was hurt alot last season
True, if you score at the QB position which is why they are giving Minshew a shot, then your retool/rebuild will be that much more effective. Best end result will be Minshew turns into a solid QB, you’ve got a young roster and your set at QB.
Cam newton is the worst QB in the nfl when throwing the ball.
His legs no longer are a factor at age 31 with a bevy of injuries on his resume.
He is xfl talent nothing more.
I would have to disagree with you on your first line Mitch T (bears) is the worst in the game right now
Lose the ego and you’ll get a job. He isn’t heisman or #1 pick Cam anymore
He’s definitely better than a lot of starting QBs out there. For Jacksonville, New England, Chargers, and Miami he would represent a clear upgrade and they are not financially strapped at the position. If Oakland and Chicago could navigate their high priced qb rooms, then I could see him as a better option there too
Assuming Cam is healthy, he might be a clear upgrade….I don’t think Miami is the right fit given the pandemic…makes more sense to roll with Fitz for another season and then give Tua the job after this season
Oh I absolutely agree that Miami should stay the course. I am a dolphins fan and like their plan but from a pure talent perspective, Cam is better than Fitz
Cam is a worse passer then Carr, Chicago doesn’t need another QB who wants big money and can’t pass
Well, that’s why I posited that they would need to clear up their high priced qb rooms. Carr may be a better “passer”, but Cam is a better QB.
What starting quarterbacks is Cam better than?
No he’s not. Cam is noodle armed and can’t run at this point. This is not 2015 anymore.
Hey Fox, we’re taking about AMERICAN football. Cam is as washed up as they get. He’s not better than Fitz et al.
Given the complexity of the NE offense, I’d say Cam isn’t the better option at this point.
He’s not 2015 Cam, if he was, yes he’d be the better option.
Given the fact that Cams coach wont bring him onto the Redskins while they have the worst QB room in the nfl is telling…
Wait for Ben to show up to camp with a gimpy arm or weighing more than DeCastro.
I wouldn’t hate this but I’d find it hard to believe they’d move on that quick from Big Ben especially with recent extension. the smaller salary Newton would have to agree to due to their cap room would also be a factor.
I could see them signing Cam sure.. but as a backup the the hall of fame QB who still has a few good years left.
Nothing better than watching Ben silence his critics with outstanding play.
I dont know i just dont feel Cam fits the Patriot system. The only real chance Cam has is Chargers and maybe Jags as a starter but i dont think his ego will let him take the dollars those teams willing to pay for him.
Chargers have Tyrod/Herbert.. Jags have Minshew.
Redskins are only option and Rivera wants nothing of it.
I still think it wouldn’t hurt the Pats or Chargers to give him a 1-year deal as a starter. Gives you the Pats time to figure out their QB situation and potentially draft a decent one at next year’s draft. Chargers would give Herbert time to develop and not thrust him into a role where he’s going to get killed on a bad Chargers team.
Not sure about just giving Cam the starting job in NE…there’s no confirmation he’s healthy….plus Pats would rather see what Stidham can do
No cap space in New England. Which veteran stars do you want to release to sign Cam Newton? How much dead money do you want to waste to sign Cam Newton?
The QB situation is is figured out in NE. It’s Stidham
Wrong. It could be Hoyer.
Stidham hasn’t shown anything.
Obvious Bill is pretending to be in full control like when he benched Butler in superbowl loss.
Either way they’re tanking.
I’m not saying the new Pats QB is the 2nd coming of Brady. But Tom replaced Bledsoe w/ a much better ‘resume’ and never looked back. Everyone insists that the Pats have zero talent there, expect Bill. He only has 8-9 rings. I’ll go w/ his judgement.
As for the Jags, they wiffed big time on Bortles then a year later Foles. Why do the same thing again? They should go young or see what Minshew offers. Of course, it would have helped to use a 1st round pick, or 2, on O, but that’s the Jags, incompetent.
Agreed, I’ll trust Bills judgement any day of the week. I think Stidham will be just fine starting and the Pats will still win the division/make a run
I’ll trust Bill to win the division…
that is.. the Buffalo “Bill”s
Everyone keeps saying he’s been horrible the last 2 seasons….we forget he was playing at a legit MVP level the first half of 2018 until his shoulder gave out. 2019 he has no tape to show he was bad at all because it never started due to a freak injury in a meaningless pre-season game. He’s better than at least 10 current starting QBs by far and still can play at high level if given the chance imo….
So he was playing well before a major injury?? Thats irrelevant. You can’t predate that injury when evaluating him. Cam could barley throw for 20 yards last year without it being a noodle pass. Theres a reason his own team got rid of him.
his throwing wasn’t the problem last year…he had offseason surgery and was well on his way back. He didn’t have noodle arm last season, but yes the 2nd half of 2018 he had noodle arm. What’s irrelevant to me is everyone saying he was terrible last year, he played what 1 game lol?!
His arm was toast last year.
Braveshomer – First you said that Cam played in no games in 2019. Then you said he played one game. Cam started 2 games in 2019, and he was horrible.
If teams didn’t think he was washed up, they’d be knocking down his door.
yes my bad he did play in two games..my bad! His horrible play was bec
yes my bad he did play in two games..my bad! His horrible play was because of his foot he shouldn’t have tried to play on which he later admitted…not his noodle arm
Can you name 10 starters that he’s “better than” right now? If he’s healthy maybe so, be we don’t know he is. Time will tell. He’d be smart to accept a backup role and prove himself. It’s not like QB’s don’t get injured every year.
Who wants a diva that is not an accurate passer? He should go design hats.
I think you’re the only person who has put your finger on the real problem with Cam Newton regarding him signing with somebody. Yes, money and a starting opportunity may or may not be an issue for Newton, but I think the biggest issue with Newton is his attitude and persona. The most important attribute a quarterback MUST have is leadership, and despite his great physical talents, Cam Newton has NEVER been a leader. I’m not referring to his clothing but rather to his demeanor regarding accepting blame and responsibility for the team’s performance in general and losses in particular. He acts like a 12 year old, acts sullen and defensive, instead of strong and positive and assertive. Oh, and his attitude toward women is dismissive and condescending.
I see Newton as a stopgap, so weaker teams on a rebuild aren’t likely to have much interest. Even Ron, would probably rather roll with Haskins than Cam, knowing the Redskins are more than a veteran QB away from being serious contenders. If Brady resented BB’s authoritarian approach it’s hard to image Newton getting along in New England. Thus Newton will probably only get his starting shot if someone like Ryan Tannehill or Russell Wilson is lost for most of the season because of injury.
Also Haskins has upside.
It’s pretty hard to show your true potential playing behind an OL that has more holes than Swiss cheese.
“The Chargers may have No. 6 overall pick Justin Herbert sit behind Tyrod Taylor for a season while Herbert gets acclimated to the pro game,”
No chance this happens. No team does this anymore unless they have a great QB or a legend. The Chargers QB is Tyrod Taylor. Herbert will be the starter by Week 4, give or take a few weeks.
“but the Bolts are built to win now”
What? They went 5-11 last year and lost 6 of their last 7. They’re–at best–a fringe playoff team in the midst of a rebuild. ‘Win now’? They’re in the bottom third of the league.
An extreme amount of their losses came by 1 possession. The team was also killed by injuries to Bosa and James. Rivers was a human turnover and him being gone will immensely help them , they are definitely not in a rebuild. With their revamped line, good draft and injured players coming back they will be contenders in 2020. Calling them bottom third of the leauge is comical.
No, calling them contenders is comical. As bad as Rivers may have been, their starter right now is Tyrod Taylor, who is worse. They’re bottom third of the league, average at best.
In re: one possession games, bad teams find ways to lose them. Also, it’s the Chargers. Losing close games is nothing new. Ask any Chargers fan. They’ll miss the playoffs again this year, and probably lose a lot of close games, because they’re not a good team.
Tyrod is not going to blow you away but he is also not going to make dumb decisions. Thats an upgrade from Rivers who was cancelling out the good with critical turnovers. In 2018 they were the exact opposite winning every close game and they went 12-4. They are somewhere in between 2019 and 2018n closer to 10 wins with a last place schedule. The ways they lost games were extremely ridiculous and won’t happen two years in a row ( Gordon fumbling on the 1 and throwing picks at the end of every close game ). If you look at their roster and say thats bottom 10 in the NFL you are straight up lying. They have talent on both sides of the ball and will be a very good team this year. The only AFC teams you can definitively say are better is Baltimore and Kansas City.
I doubt there’s anything tempting about Newton for Belichick. He’s no nonsense and Newton would be nothing but a headache
Doesn’t look like a match made in heaven does it?
Nice career Cam. The days of you being the 1 are over. Enjoyed watching you play, enjoyed your drama, and enjoyed your fashion after the game. Wouldn’t want you near a team I root for but was fun to watch.
Newton has a HUGE EGO problem and this just absolutely proves it. The Jaguars have had it with big mouths and Ego Maniacs who can’t put the Team first … thus, no thank you Cam Newton.
Ok then, CFL it is, better stick up on some extra scarfs…
Just because he shares the same number as Warren Moon doesn’t mean he could have the same impact in the Canadian league.