Cam Newton is one of the more interesting names to watch this offseason as he spent the 2020 season with the New England Patriots and was certainly underwhelming, to say the least. Newton will likely have some offers to compete for a starting gig somewhere, but a backup role is a more likely alternative.
Newton, who is a former NFL MVP, will have to prove his worth to a new organization. He could still be productive for the right team, but he won’t be getting MVP money this offseason.
At 31, Newton had a bit of a rough season for the short-staffed Patriots, but he still showed flashes of greatness that gives some NFL general managers a good impression. Newton completed 65.8 percent of his passes in 2020 for 2,657 passing yards and logged a touchdown to interception ratio of eight to 10.
Most of Newton’s damage came from his legs in 2020, as the veteran ran the ball 137 times for 592 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns. Newton could still be an impact player for an organization, and here’s a look at four teams who could be in the mix for the former MVP.
Washington Football Team
If Cam Newton is going to a team to compete for a starting job, the most logical landing spot for him would be the Washington Football Team. The Washington Football Team is led by Newton’s former head coach Ron Rivera, a man who was his head coach the year Newton won the MVP award.
Rivera knows how to properly use Newton, which is why a trip to the Nation’s Capitol could be a legitimate option. Newton still has the potential to be a great quarterback, he just needs to be put on a team who can build around him.
The Washington Football Team was a playoff team in 2020, yet still have a dire need for a stable quarterback. Newton could compete for the starting job and he could be a much cheaper option than entering the Deshaun Watson sweepstakes.
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints seem like they may be committed to Jameis Winston moving forward, but they will have to re-sign him first. It’s a very hot quarterback market in the 2021 offseason and the Saints may not be able to bring back their hopeful Drew Brees replacement.
Cam Newton was close to joining the Saints in 2019 before his injury took place and now that he’ll be a cheap sign he would be a solid backup to add even if the team does bring back Winston. If the Saints signed Newton to a one-year deal similar to Winston’s to learn under Sean Payton, he could sky rocket his value for the rest of his career.
Not to mention, Cam’s athleticism could easily play some sort of role in the New Orleans offense. Newton is easily one of the most athletic quarterbacks in the NFL and with Payton being an offensive mastermind, he could mold Newton into the offense is some variety.
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons have been rumored to possibly be trading away their own starting quarterback, Matt Ryan, this offseason and begin a rebuilding process. If Ryan gets traded away, the Falcons will likely look to draft a quarterback with their No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and could look to bring in a veteran mentor while they develop him.
One guy that could be brought in is Cam Newton. Newton, a native of College Park, Georgia, would love to play for his hometown team. The Falcons could and should consider bringing in Newton anyways as their backup quarterback Matt Schaub opted to retire this offseason.
Newton would provide the Falcons with some security in case Ryan gets injured or traded and Newton would get an opportunity to play for his hometown team. This seems like a win-win situation in my eyes.
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are in search of a veteran quarterback to challenge Drew Lock for the starting quarterback job and Cam Newton could be a great option. Newton, like Lock, loves to have a good time on the football field, but is simply more polished than Lock is at this stage of his career.
Newton would be a cheap one-year sign while the Broncos get to see how things go. He could compete for a starting job and learn from NFL Hall of Famer John Elway at the same time. Newton making a trip to Denver could save his career and put him back on the map as a legitimate threat once again.
The Broncos have some great weapons that would be built around Cam Newton. They have Melvin Gordon in the backfield, Noah Fant lined up at tight end, and they have a very good and young receiving corps led by Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton. Denver should look to bring in Newton for cheap to compete for the starting quarterback job.
