Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Newton could keep Patriots on top
After an era of invincibility, the theory that the New England Patriots would be rebuilding in 2020 was fun while it lasted.
The signing of Cam Newton means the balance of power in the AFC East shifts right back in New England’s favor.
Even though it is impossible to know whether Newton’s injuries — which led to a decline in performance and forced him to miss much of last season — are in his past, the fact that Bill Belichick is adding a once-dynamic quarterback to his team hints that the division will yet again go through Foxborough.
Belichick loves reclamation projects, and they don’t get any bigger than Newton, the 2015 NFL MVP who spent the past decade as the NFL’s most dangerous dualthreat quarterback since Michael Vick.
Newton, who reportedly signed an incentive-laden one-year deal that could be worth as much as $7.5 million, must master New England’s complicated offense and outperform Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer to win the starting job.
But both are realistic expectations for a 31-year-old quarterback trying to extend his career with a franchise looking to turn the page on a successful two-decade run with Tom Brady as its quarterback.
The marriage between Newton and the Patriots could turn into a disaster, which has been the case for quite a few of the Patriots’ other reclamation projects. However, there’s a good chance New England’s
respected coaching staff and the time off Newton’s had to let his throwing shoulder and injured foot heal will allow him to return to elite status.
And if that is the case, his presence under center should help the Patriots remain top dog in the AFC East.
On paper, Newton’s clearly an upgrade over the alternative.
Hoyer is a career backup for a reason: He’s not very good.
And Stidham, who was drafted in the fourth round in 2019 out of Auburn, has thrown just four regular-season passes, completing two of them. He also threw an interception to Jets safety Jamal Adams, who returned it for a 61-yard touchdown.
That means the only touchdown Stidham has thrown was to the opposition.
That doesn’t mean Stidham doesn’t have potential, especially since he spent a year learning New England’s offense. But Stidham doesn’t have the experience level Newton, a nine-year veteran, possesses. And he’s also missing Newton’s raw talent.
Newton, a Heisman Trophy winner who led Auburn to the national championship, had a far superior collegiate career than Stidham. And he’s young enough to have several more years of success if he learns to be a better pocket passer.
Adding a mobile quarterback is an ideal fit for a team that possessed a top-five defense last season and retained a ton of pieces this offseason. Newton, who has a career record of 68-55-1, can beat you in many ways when healthy.
His versatility and knack for scoring touchdowns — 182 passing and 58 rushing — should put him ahead of Buffalo’s Josh Allen, Jets quarterback Sam Darnold and Miami’s combination of Ryan Fitzpatrick and Tua Tagovailoa, when it comes to the quarterback pecking order in the division.
However, to be successful in the next chapter of his career, Newton’s game must evolve the way Randall Cunningham’s did in the late stages of his career. That’s the only way this Newton-New England marriage will be more than a one-season fling.
But his addition injects life into the Patriots and gives hope there is life after Brady.