The New England Patriots 2020 season came to a close with a victory over the New York Jets, that saw them lock up the number fifteen selection in the 2021 NFL draft.There has been plenty of speculation that the Patriots would take a quarterback in the first round. That was fueled even more by Adam Schefter, who tweeted that Cam Newton and The Patriots were going to be parting ways. Schefter has since recanted his statement, however that hasn't stopped the media from pursiing that line of thought.
Following Sunday's victory, Cam Newton spoke this week with WEEI about his future and his ability to play the position. So does Cam think he's played bad enoough to lose his job?
Newton told WEEI, "Honestly, it's too early to tell. That's as honest as I can be. Do I think I have starting talent? Absolutely. Do I think a lot of things that I've done were devalued? Not the team's perspective, probably the media's perspective -- absolutely."
Cam threw eight touchdowns and ten interceptions. He was inconsistent, inaccurate, and made poor decisions. He ran for twelve touchdowns but looked slower than Tom Brady at times. Newton Failed to see open pass catchers and threw the ball to their bubble instead of where he needed to. Newton often threw the ball late, into the ground, Above their heads, behind or way infront of his targets.
Cam Newton played like one of the worst, if not worst passer in the league in 2020. Sure there can be an excuse made that he didnt have the best weapons but looking at his play, the same arguement can be made for New England pass catchers unit was a below average squad playing with a bottom eight tier passer. There is an arguement that Cam Newton arrived late and didnt know the playbook and dealth with bad play calling. Again, the arguement can be made that Cam struggled with the limited playbook he was given and couldn't be trusted to expand the playbook.
There is also the arguement that Cam had covid. However, after beating up on the worst passing defense in the NFL (Seattle), Cam Newton started to show inconsistency and decline versus the Raiders. In fact his first half was as bad, if not worse than Jarrett Stidham's quarter versus the Chiefs. All of Stidham's play was comparable to Cam Newton's play and Stidham only played about four quarters worth of time. What does that say about Cam and what does he think aout it?
Here's what the 31 year old passer told WEEI, "I know out of 32 guys, I'm not the 32 position rank. So you have to also understand, I'm a competitor first. I know what my skill set is, I know what my talent is. I understand that if given the opportunity, there is nobody better than me. That's how I'll always feel. I have to also feel realistic about the opportunity that is presented as well."
Newton was given the chance to start fifteen games for the Patriots. Former coaches in the media said that after the Patriots were eliminated, that it made zero sense to start him. However, that's exactly what the Patriots did. They started Cam Newton and yet there are people who do not feel starting that many games is being given a chance.
When asked, there are people who scuff at the idea of Cam not returning and taking a backup job. Cam Supporters will tell you that "the Patriots need to give Cam a true number one receiver, a true number one tight end. They will tell you give Cam Julio and Marvin Jones, plus Hunter Henry and watch how good he is." Give Stidham, Trebisnky, or Hoyer those targets and they'll also look like stars.
Newton commented on the idea of holding a clipboard in 2020. Newton said, "If you are asking me, Do I want to be a backup? Hell no! When I look at other teams, and I'm looking at other players play, there have been guys that have been getting away with murder for years because of subpar play. Do I have the right to say that with the year I had this year? No. But I'm going to be honest and say it because that's what I do."
Newton who had said his stock hasn't dropped, now says quarterbacks have been keeping their jobs due to bad play? He just said he didn't play bad earlier and now other guys are excused for playing bad, he's just too proud to admit he's not good enough on his own to be a starter.
Mike Reiss quoted Cam Newton as saying it would be "remarkable" for Belichick to want him back. If his stock hadn't dropped, why wouldn't Belichick want him back, when all Bill did was sing his praise all season? Newton added his goals for the offseason, "I have to obviously work on my mechanics. I have to obviously throw the football sooner rather than the latter part of last year. Those things, I'm going to be focused on as we get geared up for offseason."
Newton back talked and admitted that he played bad and had things to work on as a passer. He made excuses to why he should still be starting and even though he did not come straight out and say it, it's clear he expects to be holding a clipboard in 2021.
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