The New England Patriots have to face a new reality: they aren’t going to be able to just cruise into the postseason anymore.
They won’t be the favorites for every game they play. They won’t have a quarterback that can do anything and everything. The Patriots are Tom Brady-less and don’t exactly have a starting-caliber quarterback on the roster.
The Patriots are expected to go ahead into the season with second-year 23-year-old Jarrett Stidham as the starter. He has only played a total of four snaps in three games. He is a total wild card and really shouldn’t have to be relied upon to take over the stage that Tom Brady left.
With Stidham expected to start, that leaves Cody Kessler and Brian Hoyer as the backups. Truth be told, all three quarterbacks on the roster are backups, but the Patriots don’t have anyone else. They may draft a quarterback, but if they plan on getting “the next guy,” they would have to trade up or tank and I don’t see them doing that in the next couple of years.
One option that seems great is often-injured and former league MVP, Cam Newton.
Newton had a Linsfrac Fracture and has been injured the last two seasons for a nice chunk of both. He is now rehabbing and the Panthers appear to be ready to move on as they signed Teddy Bridgewater to a three-year, $60 million deal. The Panthers also have granted Newton permission to seek a trade and if they can’t find a partner they may release him.
I’m not worried about which method they use to get Newton to New England, I’m just worried about the fit. Both Newton and Belichick are absolute masterminds at their respective crafts.
Newton is a wizard with field vision and plays creation and Bill is one of the best playmakers and creators of all time. The two of them together would create a crazy talented coach to quarterback tandem that can easily match the Brady-Bellichick one.
Newton has his fair share of accomplishments despite only being 30-years-old. Just take a peek:
- NFL MVP (2015)
- NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2015)
- Best NFL Player ESPY Award (2016)
- All-NFL Team (2015)
- Bert Bell Award (2015)
- All-Rookie Team (2011)
- Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year (2011)
- NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (2011)
- Heisman Trophy (2010)
182 Career touchdowns
59.7 percent career completion rate
28,709 career passing yards
4,806 career rushing yards
58 career rushing touchdowns
Very clearly Newton is a very talented athlete who, in a new scene, has crazy potential for thriving. The Patriots would offer that and the appeal for Super Bowl contention.
