Welcome to the Cam Newton Era
Cam Newton is coming to Foxborough, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a logical reason to dislike the move if you’re a Patriots fan. Bill Belichick just scooped up a 31 year-old former MVP for the veteran minimum. This is the epitome of a low-risk, high-reward signing.
The only critics thus far have been people who question Newton’s character. They’re likely basing their judgement off of two specific instances over his nine-year career. Not diving for that fumble in the Super Bowl five years ago, and making a sexist comment to a female reporter back in 2017. Both of which were downright inexcusable, and hopefully not the embodiment of who Cam really is at his core. We also know that he’s a incredible talent, tremendous leader, and a philanthropist who never passes on a chance to give back to the community. His work with the Cam Newton Foundation since 2012 has been admirable, and this past winter he won the Walter Payton Man of the Year Charity Challenge to commemorate his efforts.
As for his abilities on the football field at this point in his career, we’ll have to wait and see. But it’s tough not to feel more confident in the Patriots now than we did last week. No disrespect to Jarrett Stidham, he could be great one day, but he’s unproven. As is the Patriots’ receiving corps, as is Sony Michel when he doesn’t have James Develin in front of him. That’s too much inexperience to rely on at the offensive skill positions. Having a seasoned veteran, three-time Pro Bowler, former MVP and Conference Champion will hopefully bring the necessary poise and leadership to make New England a contender in the AFC.
I won’t go as far as to say that Newton is in his prime. Tom Brady’s best years were in his thirties but Tom Brady is not a mobile quarterback. Newton has been beat up, plain and simple. What we do know is that Cam has a big chip on his shoulder, and he’s been working tirelessly to get back to full strength after missing the majority of the 2019 season thanks to shoulder issues.
Newton took to social media on Monday night to express his excitement in a video, proclaiming that he’s “at your neck”. That statement can be directed toward the Panthers as well as the 30 other teams who didn’t want to take a chance on him:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCC8tuJBlQQ/