The Cam Newton experiment didn’t go well for the Patriots, who are off their first losing season since 2000, the year before Tom Brady took over as the starting New England quarterback.
But what if it’s not over yet?
Newton is a free agent after playing on a one-year contract in 2020, and the assumption is that the Patriots will be looking to upgrade with QB. But when asked this week on “NFL Live” for a “bold prediction” leading up to the off season, Keyshawn Johnson suggested that New England bring Newton back for the 2021 campaign.
“I have to go back to New England with Cam Newton,” Johnson said. “I know a lot of people think that experiment has gone south. But it doesn’t quite seem like that. Looks like they’d like to try and find some other playmakers to build around him, possibly because going out and line up, getting a young quarterback means rebooting your entire team to beat the next five, six, seven year. Does (Bill) Belichick really have that long to wait?
“And if they can get Cam right, there is no pandemic, there is a real low season, a real training camp and no truncated training camp, I think that’s my bold prediction.”
It’s hard to say if that qualifies as “bold,” given that Newton’s market may not be as robust after a disappointing 2020. Plus, the Patriots certainly liked what the 31-year-old offered in terms of leadership.
However, the patriots would probably need to step up their line, especially if they plan to use their excess salary cap with a view to returning to the fray in 2021.
New England has already been associated with several quarterbacks, most of whom would be far more attractive than simply turning it back after a 7-9 finish in the Patriots’ first season after Brady.
Thumbnail photo via David Butler II / USA TODAY Sports Images