New England Patriots: 3 ways re-signing Cam Newton makes sense

FOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 3, 2021: Cam Newton #1 of the New England Patriots celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the second half against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on January 3, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 3, 2021: Cam Newton #1 of the New England Patriots celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the second half against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on January 3, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
New England Patriots
2021 NFL draft prospects Trey Lance /

First, the New England Patriots’ signing Cam Newton makes good sense, if …

It’s been argued here before that the best option for New England would be to go all-in on one of two bonafide NFL star quarterbacks, to pay the freight, whatever it might be, and get a deal done for either Deshaun Watson or Russell Wilson.

As predicted, Bill Belichick and Co. didn’t make that boldest of moves by trading whatever it would have taken to land one of the two quarterbacks mentioned previously, should they have actually have been on the market (an important caveat).

More from New England Patriots

That opportunity/option is now obviously off-the-table. Thus, signing Newton is clearly a step toward seeking to restore competitiveness, but, in addition to keeping Newton, it will take some doing to do so.

The move hopefully signals that it may be in the cards for New England to go all-in on a top young quarterback in the draft. The signing of Cam Newton is certainly complementary to that option as previously suggested, as well.

Should New England indeed trade-up in the draft (or take him at No. 15, if possible) to get the quarterback they feel can be their next long-term leader, then having Newton aboard for next season is a very sound option.

The young draftee slinger can learn from a true professional and star, and also from a great person. Newton fits that profile to a tee. It was argued here that his season in 2020 was far better than the statistics alone demonstrated.

Last season, it was Newton or no one. If he had a couple of playmakers alongside him on that drab Patriots offense he may just have pulled out a playoff spot, as decidedly unlikely as that was.