4 better free agency fits for Cam Newton in 2021
By Dean Jones
Are there better fits out there for Cam Newton in 2021?
Cam Newton‘s first year with the New England Patriots hasn’t gone as expected. Bill Belichick’s men won’t be in the playoff picture for the first time since 2008 and their stranglehold in the AFC East is finally over just one year removed from perennial Super Bowl-winning quarterback Tom Brady leaving the franchise.
This was always going to be a difficult campaign for the Patriots and Cam Newton. COVID-19 opt-outs decimated their roster on defense, and their lack of desire to improve weapons in the passing game is something else that’s come back to haunt them.
Newton was signed late in the day by New England almost three months after he was released by the Carolina Panthers. The 2015 NFL MVP also contracted COVID-19 at a time when some real momentum was starting to build and such has been the player’s lack of production in recent weeks, it has called into question his future with the organization.
The player himself stated that he doesn’t want his career to end on this low note. But here are four better options for Newton in free agency if a new deal with the Patriots fails to materialize.
Team No. 1
New York Giants
There appear to be ongoing doubts about Daniel Jones and his ability to lead the Giants moving forward. Plenty of eyebrows were raised when New York selected him with their first-round pick back in 2019 and one could argue they’ve been more productive without him of late.
If the Giants are looking for a veteran to steady the ship and take Jones out of the firing line, then Newton would be high on the shortlist. Putting the former Auburn sensation in a backfield that will also benefit from the return of stud running back Saquon Barkley would be a mouth-watering proposition that would be a nightmare to stop.
New York would no doubt seek the counsel of James Bradberry before pulling the trigger, with the cornerback a teammate of Newton’s during their time together in Carolina.