FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 28: Cam Newton #1 of the New England Patriots (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)
Cam Newton likely isn’t going back to New England in 2021, but he’s not done in the NFL.
Cam Newton wanted to use the New England Patriots as the springboard with which he could launch the second act of his career. Unfortunately, after New England crashed out of the postseason picture, Bill Belichick will likely have a new quarterback in 2021, putting Newton on the free agent market for the second season in a row.
Newton’s poor statistics might dissuade some teams from taking a chance on him, but there is an abnormally large number of teams who could use a new quarterback this offseason, and three of them could consider signing Cam.
These three teams should be in the market for Cam Newton in 2021
3
Chicago Bears
NFC North
If the Bears think that they can keep contending for championships with Mitchell Trubisky as their quarterback, Ryan Pace needs to get his head examined. Even with the Bears sporting one of the league’s worst offenses, a dominant defense and David Mongomery breakout has them right in the thick of the NFC playoff picture. Rather than bringing back Trubisky after a slightly above-average four-game stint and crossing their fingers, the Bears should look to bring Newton in, as he could give the Bears’ offense a much higher ceiling.
Cam wasn’t a great passer in New England, but it’s hard to be truly elite when he has arguably the worst group of wide receivers in the league and an offensive coordinator in Josh McDaniels that would cook up the most conservative gameplans ever.
In Matt Nagy’s offense, Newton would be able to throw to the likes of Allen Robinson, Anthony Miller, and Jimmy Graham while forming a hellacious backfield tandem with Montgomery. Newton’s downfield accuracy might be waning due to repeated arm injuries, but he could get his stats back up to a respectable level if he signs with Chicago. By upgrading at quarterback, the Bears could become a legit contender in the NFC if they sign Newton.