How much time does Newton have left as a starter and how should the Patriots approach the future.

I have been hard on Cam Newton because I know what I see. However, I want to see Cam play at elite levels because he is on the Patriots. I have read a lot of articles and unless the article tells me that the writer doesn't know what he's talking about, like Brady Quinn saying the Patriots don't have a fullback on the roster; I try to accept what they say with a grain of salt. 

I have been hearing and reading people saying that Cam Newton will be the Patriots franchise quarterback for a decade. As much as it's possible, it's not realistic. That's not me hating on Newton, that's just the way he plays.

Ask yourself this, right now could Brian Hoyer be the franchise quarterback for the Patriots for a decade? I'm betting majority of you are going to say no. Cam Newton as a pocket passer is worse than Hoyer. He is not a pocket quarterback, never has been.

This camp we have seen Newton complete uptown 68% of his passes. We have also seen Newton complete only 46%. Newton has also benefited from dropped interceptions because he throws the ball too hard. As a pocket passer he is inaccurate and inconsistent. It's why he has only had 3 seasons above 60% competition percentage.

Newton is a scrambler or running quarterback. Ask Evan Lazar, Newton is not a guy you want standing in the pocket, he's not gonna excel on passing drills. He's a guy who's gonna cause defenders to move up because of his scrambling ability, causing pass catchers to get open. He's a guy that relies on deep 50/50 jump balls. That's his game.

Because Newton is a guy who makes his money more off his legs than his arm, he is gonna take a lot more hits. Newton has already had several injuries. Two major ones back to back in 2018 and 2019. Newton's body is already starting to show signs that it cannot keep taking hits, which means he's getting close to playing in borrowed time.

Newton does not have the ability to transition into a pocket passer, he's not Steve Young. Newton turns 32 after the season. If he plays well and gets a long term contract, Newton has 4 or 5 years left max. That's all due to his play style. Again that's not me hating.

The Patriots have three more years of Stidham, including 2020 and would have to decide if he's their franchise or they would have to draft Newton's heir in the 2023 draft. Basically, the Patriots will find themselves in the same situation the Patriots found themselves in, in 2017.

The Patriots wanted to sit and develop Stidham another year behind Brady before Brady left town. Newton has not run away with the job, too many reporters have said this for me to doubt it.

The Patriots' best case scenario is to sit and develop Stidham this year and depending on how well Newton plays, to sign Newton to a two year contract. That allows the Patriots to move on from Cam if Stidham develops well enough but doesn't trap the Patriots incase Newton gets injured. 

If Newton out plays his contract and shows he can be extended past that give him a two year extension, understanding that they'll have to draft a quarterback to replace Stidham at that point. That is how to approach the Newton situation. 

I know I am talking about Newton like he's old but scrambling quarterbacks who aren't pocket passers don't tend to have long careers. This will be Newton's tenth season. Odds are not on his side. Honestly, Newton at this point should be considered on a year to year basis.