Tom Brady couldn't leave the Patriots fast enough and at first there was expectations that there would be a competition between Brian Hoyer, hero of superbowl 53 and 2019 rookie quarterback Jarrett Stidham but Belichick would add Newton in late summer.
The Patriots now had Hoyer, a passive quarterback who could beat you with his mind and a his weak arm, Newton a reckless abandonment quarterback who would beat you with his legs and deep ball, and Stidham who falls in between the two veterans.
The quarterbacks would split reps but it was clear that Hoyer was just a conservative game manager who wasn't going to do anything flashy to win the job and this the other two would have to lose it.
Stidham was looking accurate in camp until he injured himself from overuse due to lack of stretching. The Patriots wouldn't find out about the injury for three days later. Over that three day period Stidham showed something was off and went on a interception streak. The Patriots were frustrated over the injury and the lack of disclosure.
Newton would see more reps but as several writers acknowledged, Newton was inconsistent and inaccurate. Newton wasn't pulling a head and the two quarterbacks stayed even in play. Newton's worst day saw him complete 46% of 28 passes. Newton showed some reason for concern, as he had several dropped interceptions and was made to do a lap for lack of ball security.
Belichick dragged the competition out hoping that one of his two quarterbacks would eventually run away with the job. Even with Newton getting more reps, that didn't happen. Hence, Belichick had to name a starter with only days before week one.
Bill could go with an accurate but inexperienced mobile passer, or an inaccurate but experienced veteran running cannon. With Newton only being on a one year deal and Belichick wanting to continue to develop Stidham in the spring, Cam Newton won the Starting job by default.
Newton could play into a bigger contract but he could also play poor enough to be benched during the season. There is debate among analysts, to whether Newton will hold the Patriots back to only 7 wins or if he can lead them to 12 wins. This is still a wait and see situation. The Patriots are expected to keep Brian Hoyer as the teams third quarterback, to continue the development of Stidham.
The 31 year old Newton has an incentive based contract and thus will be looking to prove himself this season. For now, Cam Newton is the starter of the New England Patriots and we in Patriots Nation wish him all the best of luck going forward.
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