Newton Eliminates His Biggest Flaw with McDaniels

Someday, Cam Newton will step onto a stage and collect his Hall of Fame bust. But if the NFL’s Superman ever had one kryptonite, struggles with accuracy might just be it. Per PFF, Newton ranked 41st on throws ranging from 1-to-9 yards since 2017.

The last time we saw him at close-to-full health for a sustained period in 2018, he made good on those marks. Consider his QB grid from a season ago; he was above league average in all but one area on those short routes.

And truthfully, that’s been the bedrock of the New England Patriots’ offense. Not only will Newton have unprecedented freedom at the line of scrimmage and route adjustments, but the situations he’ll be in will be much more manageable. If watching Tom Brady for the last two decades has proved anything, it’s that runs and third-and-short conversions are the name of the game.

The lack of quality receivers likely means an encore from 2019, as it relates to deep balls. But few QBs are as deadly in the short or medium range than Newton. And that will keep his numbers at an elite level.

The Belichick and Newton marriage is set. Between them are two of the NFL’s most successful personalities this decade. If things come into form, Newton has a chance to see his trophy case grow tenfold, from Comeback Player of the Year honors to Super Bowl titles. Just like a Cam Newton throw in 2020, very little will be out of reach.