One MVP Out, Another MVP In: Cam Signs With The Patriots
- nolanbul2
- Jun 29, 2020
- 6 min read
After being cut from the Carolina Panthers on March 24th and going 96 days without having a job, the New England Patriots finally decided to swoop in and sign Cam Newton, the 2015 NFL MVP, to a one year, $7.5 million deal.
One of the most hated, yet successful teams in all of sports this century just arguably lost the greatest player in football history in Tom Brady to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They did nothing to help truly cushion the loss of Brady, as they only brought in their old pal Brian Hoyer to compete with 2019 fourth round draft pick Jarrett Stidham. The Patriots’ stock was falling as we have never seen in recent memory, and the end of a dynasty was finally destined to be here. Yet all of a sudden, towards the end of June, the Patriots decide to wake up and find an upgrade at QB in Newton.
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The Last QB Domino This Offseason Has Finally Fallen
This offseason, teams had a wide variety of QB free agents and known trade targets to pick upon. Players such as Tom Brady, Phillip Rivers, Teddy Bridgewater, and Nick Foles, among others, were acquired early in the free agency period. The two most notable names still available weeks after the previously mentioned players were with their new teams were Jameis Winston and Cam Newton. On April 28th, Winston finally found a home and signed a one year, $1.1 million deal with the New Orleans Saints. After that move, Cam Newton was still left without a team, and Patriots fans were aching for their team to sign the man. Going from Tom Brady to Jarrett Stidham or Brian Hoyer was a drastic drop-off. Almost two months later, Pats fans got their wish with the signing of Newton, and here we are.
When news broke yesterday that New England officially signed Newton, I did not react much to it. Everyone already knew the Patriots needed to do better than Stidham or Hoyer to make any effort to compete for a playoff spot. The signing filled a significant need, but the question (at least for me) was the fit of him in New England. It seemed that transitioning from Tom Brady and his accurate, pocket passing style to Cam Newton and his physical, mobile, big arm style would be tough. However, I have heard nothing but good things from experts and insiders about his potential fit in their “quick run” offense. Specifically, many experts and analysts have pointed out the fact that respected former Panthers Offensive Coordinator Norv Turner (who was with the team from 2018-2019) built around that type of offense during his time with Newton and the Panthers. So while the transition for the Patriots will be pretty substantial, Newton’s transition might not be as big as I thought.
He Was Left On The Market For A Reason
Cam Newton, Down In Pain After Taking Several Shots To The Head v.s. The Denver Broncos in 2016
(Image Credit: NFL Mocks)
Now there is an apparent reason why it took him over two months to be signed by a team. Newton’s recent injury history is a large cause for concern, as no team would let a healthy, talented QB unsigned that long for nothing. Unfortunately, most people have disregarded his injury history and honestly believe he was left on the market for no apparent reason. Do I believe he should have been left on the market for this long? Not exactly, but I understand the concern teams would have. The man has been rocked by defensive players for the past several years. I specifically think of the brutal helmet-to-helmet hits in the 2016 opener v.s. the Denver Broncos and the late hit to the helmet by Atlanta Falcons Safety Damontae Kazee in 2018, among many other examples. In early 2019, Newton received his second surgery on his throwing shoulder, which would spark debate on whether he would be ready for the 2019 season. Thankfully, he would start the season on time and play until he would reaggravate a foot injury that eventually sidelined him for the rest of the year. Newton would receive surgery from the injury and spend time recovering in the offseason, all while his job with the Panthers was in jeopardy. Workout videos from Newton this offseason show promising signs of improved health, and he passed a physical in early March, as well. But that does not yet mean we should be 100% confident that he can step on the field, stay healthy, and become the talented QB that we are well familiar with again. Not only would he have to be healthy enough to step on the field, but he would have to shake off any potential rust after not playing an NFL game since mid-September.
The State Of Newton's New Weapons
The loss of Tom Brady leaves Patriots Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels and his unit with a murky 2020 outlook. Thankfully, they were not left without anything and still have pieces on that side of the ball. They still have a reliable target in Wide Receiver Julian Edelman, a strong Offensive Line, a decent group of Running Backs that include Sony Michel and highly regarded receiving backs James White and Rex Burkhead. The only significant question mark is the pass catchers outside of Edelman.
N'Keal Harry, Catching His First Career Touchdown Reception Over Then-Dallas Cowboys Corner Byron Jones
(Image Credit: MassLive.Com)
Nothing much needs to be said about the Tight End group, led by Matt LaCosse, as it does not look promising. Although they spent two third round picks in this year’s draft in hopes of improving the position. The Wide Receiver depth behind Edelman offers decent options, including Mohammed Sanu. However, the Patriots have high hopes for second year Wide Receiver N’Keal Harry. After being selected 32nd overall in the 2019 NFL Draft, Harry had high expectations to make an immediate impact with Tom Brady and company. Unfortunately, Harry started the season on Injury Reserve and would eventually play only seven games in his rookie season. The big-bodied receiver out of Arizona State may not have Tom Brady throwing passes to him in 2020, but will have a chance to make the immediate impact that Pats Nation has been dreaming of and develop chemistry with Cam Newton in hopes of a rebound season.
Should Be Worth The Risk
As of now, I am not as big of a believer in him coming back and becoming the QB that he was again. Hell, I was an advocate for the man to retire before he destroys his body from further damage. However, regardless of health concerns, a one year, $7.5 million contract to bring on a former NFL MVP is a signing that is worth it for the Patriots considering the upside and who else they have in their QB room. The team goes from potential bets for the #1 overall pick and garnering tanking rumors to being presumably back as playoff contenders among NFL fans. Before marking them as contenders again, fans must realize that we genuinely do not know what type of Cam Newton we are getting in 2020. It is a looming mystery where the downside could be plenty of relief appearances for Newton, and the upside could be something that no NFL team or fan alike would want to see.
Enough, New England, Please
For the rest of the NFL world’s sake, please do not let this be a typical Patriots bargain bin find that eventually works out for them. I have mentioned within this article that Newton is talented, but he is more than that. With his physical style of play and excellence in running the ball, along with a strong arm and big frame, he is a one-of-a-kind talent. His potential success all comes down to overcoming significant health and rust concerns. If he does such a thing and clicks with the rest of the offense, New England could score themselves one of the best Free Agent signings in recent memory. But as we all know, that is a huge “if”. Even then, it remains to be seen if the Newton-lead Patriots can compete with AFC super-talents such as the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens. But with arguably the greatest coach in NFL history in Bill Belichick at the helm, anything is possible.
Bill Belichick, Laughing At Me and Everyone Else Who Was Starting To Write The Patriots Off
(Image Credit: Sportsnaut)
I will admit, I am not the biggest Cam Newton guy, but do I wish him success given what he has gone through in recent years. Unfortunately, it is tough to root for a man on a despised team such as the New England Patriots. On behalf of the rest of the NFL world, we pray to the football gods that the Patriots do not make a deep playoff run with this move. We have had enough of you, New England; we were mentally preparing to finally not be threatened by you anymore, now you do this?! As I mentioned, we do not know what type of Cam Newton we are getting in 2020, but if he remains healthy and clicks with the team, look out.
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