The Chance Cam Newton Never Got

The 2020 season for former NFL MVP, Cam Newton was not one for the books.

After recovering from injuries in the prior few seasons with the Carolina Panthers. Newton looked to revamp his career in New England, and fulfill the monumental shoes of future HOF Tom Brady (Buccaneers).

As he approached his tenth NFL season, Cam had an immense amount of pressure on his shoulders, due to the fact that almost every team had seemed to overlook him, and not sign him.

COVID-19 did the QB no favors when he did get a chance.

Cam not only caught COVID-19, and missed a few games, it was coming off a huge win against the Raiders that lifted the team to 2-1. That game came after the Seattle Seahawks goal line lost, where Cam played particularly well. Going 30 of 44, while tossing a season high 397 yards.

Overall, Cam's first year with the Patriots was consistently shaky. Leading the team to a 7-9 record, resulting in missing the playoffs.

Going into the 2021 season I had begun to develop a huge amount of trust in Cam. The team had given him what he needed in TEs, strengthening the RB core. Including making some huge splashes on the defensive sides.

New England looked revamped. It was exciting to see what the team would look like, with Cam having another year of the offense under his belt.

With all of that being said I am completely disorientated on what led up to Cam being released.

If Bill Belichick pulled the because of performance in practice then Mac Jones must really be the second coming of Brady. The Preseason play by both are not night and day.

Based on public practices that are given access to, then Cam had no reason to lose his job. Let alone get released. His practice reps are not further down the spectrum than that of Jones. They both had been competing, and having ups and downs. So was It something else?

Just last week Cam had to step away from the team for what was explained as a "strange situation" which was COVID-19 vaccine related. If this is what the final straw was then it is a pretty dumbfound move.

Despite the team going 7-9 last year, and despite Cam only throwing 8 Touchdowns to his 10 INTs. Cam should have had one very important nugget Mac didn't have. Familiarity with the system. Every fan of the team said the same words when regards to Cam's play in New England the 2020 season.

1. Not familiar with the team

Cam didn't have amazing chemistry with the team. He literally couldn't do the things new players normally have, due to COVID-19. Everything was new to him and he had to do a lot of work off the fly. This means we can create more excuses if Mac does not play well, because Cam got slack for it being his first year. So fairly Mac will too.

2. COVID-19

He wasn't giving OTAs (just like the rest of the league) He did catch COVID-19, and did not play the same after. There was a lot of newness with all of the regulations and such.

3. Lack of weapons

The lackluster performance from New England in 2020 was not all on Newton. Was he inaccurate too much? Yes. Did he have key turnovers in crunch times of games? yes. However folks he is one player. He did not have a playoff contending offense. They competed basically with scraps. A broken down Julian Edelman, an uncomfortable amount of changes amongst the OL. Skill players who didn't step up across the board. Lastly let's face it. The play calling was pretty questionable every game.

All of that being said, I wanted as a fan to see Cam get the chance Mac will get this year as a rookie. Let's remember the Patriots have much hunger coming into the season. A totally new defense with faces to make statements, as well as a bunch of guys on offense who will help the rookie out.

I wish the best to Former Patriots QB Cam Newton the best, as well as current Patriots QB Mac Jones. I just wonder what the team would have done if Newton did in fact get another chance.

“I really appreciate all the love and support during this time but I must say…Please don’t feel sorry for me. I’m good.”

Cam Newton VIA Instagram Post