Patriots: Cam Newton top NFL player ‘guaranteed’ to play better in 2021
If Cam Newton outlasts and outshines New England Patriots rookie quarterback Mac Jones for the starting role in 2021, then he would be in great position to have a better season than he did in 2020.
It really is as simple as that unless the reason Newton wins the quarterback battle solely hinges on the possibility that Jones isn’t ready yet in the eyes of Bill Belichick.
Actually, it is that confidence from Belichick that has Newton named as the top NFL player guaranteed to play better in 2021. Health, more time to learn the offense and a better offensive supportive cast are reasons NFL Network’s Gil Brandt has Newton No. 1 on his list of “Nine players who are guaranteed to play better.”
New England Patriots need a better Cam Newton in 2021
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As it can’t get any worse than Newton’s stat line in 2020 in which he threw for just 8 touchdowns vs 10 interceptions while just averaging 177.1 passing yards per game, Brandt backs up his argument with two prime reasons the Patriots veteran quarterback will bounce back in 2021.
"“There are multiple reasons for optimism heading into 2021. First, Newton will benefit from spending the entire offseason with New England — last year, he didn’t sign until the end of June, giving him comparatively little time to adjust to the first team change of his NFL tenure — and from having some time in Josh McDaniels’ offense under his belt already. Second, the Patriots significantly upgraded the NFL’s worst group of skill-position talent by signing Jonnu Smith, Hunter Henry, Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne. Finally, while I expect Newton to remain the starter heading into the season, first-round pick Mac Jones will be lurking on the Patriots’ depth chart, meaning Newton should be motivated to prove he can still be a No. 1 quarterback in 2022, whether in New England or elsewhere.”"
A sound running attack to go along with two big targets like Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry to get the ball to will undoubtedly help Cam Newton, but the main reason he will play better is because he will be looking over his shoulder at Mac Jones.
You better believe Patriots fans will be yearning for the Alabama product to get a shot at any sign of Newton struggling the way he did through the majority of his games in 2020. He won’t have the excuse of not knowing the playbook that well or even not having the weapons around him on offense.
Other than Henry and Smith, the New England Patriots wide receiver group should be a bit better than last season. In addition to the signing of Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne, third-year wide receiver Jakobi Meyers is coming off a breakout season and believe it or not former first-round pick N’Keal Harry should show some improvement in his third season…one should think.
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In all, it really comes down to the motivation and focus of Newton. If the physical attributes are there and he’s healthy, one should believe he is capable of having a solid season. Any Patriots fan or NFL pundit can see the motivation is there, but how Newton looks on the field in training camp and through the preseason will tell if the 2015 NFL MVP has what it takes to not only hold off Mac Jones, but even stay in the league as a starting quarterback.
In other words, all eyes are on Cam Newton. Mr. Brandt’s guarantee is not a hard one, since being better is the only option.