As long as Cam Newton is a free agent and the New England Patriots include Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer at the top of their quarterbacks depth chart, the rumors will persist.
But it seems that Newton is not interested in joining a team like New England.
Here’s what Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer wrote on Wednesday about what the former Carolina Panthers quarterback is looking for in his new team:
For what it’s worth, Newton has told people that he’s not looking to go somewhere as a number 2 company or in a mentoring role for a younger quarterback, and for obvious reasons. He still believes he can play and that he is a starter.
That certainly seems to rule out the Patriots.
The team appears committed to Stidham as its starter in 2020, and even if Bill Belichick were to consider signing Newton to start as a QB “bridge” between Tom Brady and Stidham, it seems Newton would not be interested in mentoring the 23-year-old. Chestnut product.
And yet, the Patriots remained the betting favorites to sign Newton on June 15 and have been for much of the offseason. Newton to New England makes sense on paper: Despite missing 14 games last season due to a foot injury, the 31-year-old QB is a three-time Pro Bowler and former NFL MVP who would be a proven talent in a QB room lacking that.
The Patriots reportedly spoke to Newton’s camp earlier this spring, so that buzz was not necessarily unwarranted. However, unless Newton changes his mind, don’t expect him to land in New England.
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