Credit: Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images
Cam Newton could only land a backup job at this point, but he would be an interesting flier for the Los Angeles Rams.
Due in virtually equal part to being cut late and injury concerns that can’t be fully checked out, Cam Newton is still available on the open market after the NFL Draft. At this point, with the exception of possibly the New England Patriots, there are no starting jobs to be had and there are no signs of real interest there.
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals make some sense as possible landing spots for Newton now. Those teams have starting quarterbacks on opposite ends of the career spectrum, so there are arguments for and against them.
But during an appearance on “Golic and Wingo” Thursday morning, ESPN analyst Louis Riddick offered a team and head coach he sees as an ideal fit for Newton: The Los Angeles Rams.
Working with an offensive-minded coach like Sean McVay would be good for Newton, similar to what Jameis Winston will be doing with Sean Payton in New Orleans. But there is not a path to the starting job for the Rams, this year or anytime soon.
Jared Goff is in the midst of a massive contract, with guaranteed salaries of $31 million and $27.5 million for the next two seasons and cap numbers just north of $30 million the two years after that. The Rams did restructure his deal last week, opening up $7 million in cap space.
Behind Goff, the Rams had former first-round pick Blake Bortles. Now, they only have former undrafted free agent and AAF signal caller John Wolford on the depth chart. Goff isn’t a significant durability concern, but it will only take one funky hit to put Wolford on the field as things stand.
Newton is in no position to make financial demands. He can surely be signed subject to passing a physical, with nothing fully guaranteed until (or even after) that point. The clock would be ticking on Goff the instant he signed with the Rams, but if the finances can be made to work, Newton could land with the team in Los Angeles that he wasn’t tied to for a chunk of the offseason.