Cam Newton: 5 NFL Teams That Make Sense
Released by the Panthers in March, free agent Cam Newton could be a get. While his market hasn’t been as big as expected, the quarterback makes sense for these 5 teams.
5. New England Patriots
While it seems a long shot for the Patriots to sign Cam Newton at this point, they have to make the list. New England currently has Jarrett Stidham as its starting quarterback as well as Brian Hoyer backing him up. If Newton is even remotely healthy after a pair of shoulder surgeries over the past few seasons and a foot injury that forced him to miss all but two games last year, he’s miles better than both.
Of course, his injury history is the reason the Carolina Panthers released him to begin with.
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4. Washington Redskins
For almost his entire career, Newton has been coached by Ron Rivera. Now, Rivera has been tasked with fixing the Redskins. While Washington has its man in second-year quarterback Dwayne Haskins, there’s upside for both parties. For the Redskins, they could use an upgrade over Kyle Allen as the backup, and Newton knows the system.
As for the 2015 NFL MVP, he has to believe there’s a chance to start. Haskins completed 57 percent of his throws last year, was sacked 12.5 percent of drop backs and tossed seven touchdowns against seven interceptions.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
We saw what Duck Hodges and Mason Rudolph could do last year, and it wasn’t nearly enough. if Ben Roethlisberger gets hurt again — a distinct possibility for a 38-year-old coming off Tommy John surgery — the Steelers need a better insurance policy. Newton makes ample sense, coming over on a one-year deal to give head coach Mike Tomlin some peace of mind if Big Ben misses time.
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2. Jacksonville Jaguars
Gardner Minshew should get every opportunity to earn the job. However, if injury or ineffectiveness come into play, Newton would help fill the traditionally empty TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville while also injecting life into the offense. For the veteran quarterback, this is a great chance to potentially get some game action and prove he can be a starter somewhere in 2021 and beyond.
1. Buffalo Bills
This almost makes too much sense. The Bills have Josh Allen as their starter, entering his third year. Even if you’re a huge Allen supporter, he’s backed up by Matt Barkley. Newton immediately makes the depth chart better by replacing Barkley, all while pushing Allen some. If the Bills, who have real expectations for the first time in a quarter-century, start poorly, Newton can make things right.
Also, general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott were with Cam Newton for six years in Carolina. There are some long-standing ties to consider.
