Re-signing Newton not ruled out, source says
Pats rookie TE Asiasi catches first touchdown
The Patriots have not ruled out resigning quarterback Cam Newton, a source told the Herald.
Newton struggled mightily as a passer during his debut season in New England, where he started 15 games and hoped to revitalize his career. The Pats ranked among the worst passing teams in the league with Newton at the helm, though they surrounded him with poor weapons, and the former MVP powered their offense to becoming one of the NFL’s top rushing attacks. The Patriots averaged 20.4 points per game and are expected to be heavily involved in the quarterback market this offseason.
After Sunday’s season finale, Newton, declined to share where he expects to play next.
“I know where my heart’s at. I know the things, who I am. But as far as that, I can’t really speak on it right now,” said Newton, who agreed to a 1-year contract last June. “But just my whole time here in New England has been a blessing. I’ve learned so much about myself, about great teammates, unbelievable coaching. Yeah, so I just see how it goes, go from there.”
Newton finished the season having completed 65.8% of his passes for 2,657 yards, eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions, plus a dozen rushing touchdowns. He ranked among the worst quarterbacks in the league in yards per attempt, yards per game and turnover rate.
Last week, amid an intensely reflective press conference, Newton said his greatest regret was he didn’t have more time in New England. His 1-year contract was for the veteran minimum, and during the season, he repeatedly referenced an ongoing learning curve with the team’s playbook. Newton reiterated those thoughts Sunday, saying the season would have gone differently if he’d been afforded more time to learn the Pats’ system.
“Without a doubt,” Newton said. “I think one of the main things for me this year was a small but yet important thing for me, just to finish healthy. I think that was one of the most frustrating things for me, was that I was healthy but still not getting the results that I was yearning for. Through it all, my shoulder held up, foot held up, mental held up. I had nicks and bruises, but who doesn’t have any nicks and bruises in the NFL?”
Jarrett Stidham is the Patriots’ only quarterback currently under contract for the 2021 season. Pats coach Bill Belichick declined to address questions about the team’s future after Sunday’s win.
Asiasi steps up in finale
Better late than next year. Patriots rookie tight end Devin Asiasi caught his first two NFL passes in Sunday’s win over the Jets, including a 26-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. Asiasi’s over-the-shoulder grab went down as the game-winner, as the Jets never answered his goahead score. The third-round pick declined to describe his performance as a breakthrough, despite the fact he’d already played in eight games and failed to register a catch.
“I think it’s another step in my growth as a player. That’s how I’m going to take it,” Asiasi said. “I’m going to approach every win and every loss the same way. I’m going to try to see what I can do better. Obviously, it wasn’t perfect out there, so there’s definitely room for improvement in the game.”
Asiasi did admit that catching his first touchdown from Newton meant more to him. The UCLA product had been building to Sunday’s performance, having logged a career-high 47 snaps the week before against Buffalo.
“It’s a crazy feeling. Watching him growing up, it’s just crazy to think that I’d be on the other side of the catch,” Asiasi said. “Having that moment, cherishing it and him being there to celebrate with me in the end zone was definitely a dope moment for me.”
Michel grabs first TD
It took him three seasons, but Patriots running back Sony Michel finally has his first receiving touchdown in the NFL.
Toward the end of tying a new single-game career high in offensive snaps played Sunday, Michel caught a 31-yard touchdown pass that put the game away. Michel grabbed a low throw in the right flat and won a foot race into the end zone. The once featured back has largely been ineffective as a pass-catcher and pass-protector in the NFL, but finished with eight catches over his last six games.
“I’ve gotten opportunities in practice to work on my ability to be in on the passing game. I just kind of waited, and hopefully I was able to execute when coach put me in there,” Michel said post-game. “That’s all you really can do. Be prepared. When your number is called, try to execute, try to do your job as best as you can.”
Michel added 76 rushing yards on 16 carries, his second-highest rushing total of the season.
Pats land 15th overall pick
By virtue of their win over the Jets and other results around the league Sunday, the Patriots clinched the 15th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
The Pats haven’t picked in the top 15 since selecting linebacker Jerod Mayo in the first round of the 2008 draft. The franchise has picked 15th overall just once before, selecting quarterback Tony Eason in 1983. Pending Sunday’s results, the Patriots could have jumped all the way to 10th, a possibility that was eliminated once they beat the Jets to finish 7-9.
Caserio, coaches draw interest
According to multiple reports, the Panthers have requested an interview with Patriots director of players personnel Nick Caserio for their general manager vacancy. Per the NFL Network, Caserio is also a rumored candidate to become Houston’s next general manager. Front-office consultant Eliot Wolf is also viewed as a possible fit for the GM vacancy in Detroit.
Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and inside linebackers coach Mayo are potential candidates for the Texans’ head-coaching vacancy, per the NFL Network. McDaniels has interviewed for head-coaching jobs several times in recent years, even backing out of an agreement to take over the Colts in 2018. Mayo, the fastest-rising Pats assistant ever under Belichick, just completed his second year in coaching.