The buzz around the 2020 class of veteran quarterbacks is already much higher than normal. That’s because the list of notable names who could be available is way bigger than is typical for any given offseason. Already guys like Teddy Bridgewater, Marcus Mariota, and Eli Manning will be out there. Tom Brady, Drew Brees, and Philip Rivers are also possibilities though longshots. Andy Dalton is also expected to garner lots of interest. Yet none of those guys have gotten as much buzz lately as Cam Newton.
The unexpected rise of Kyle Allen this year for the Carolina Panthers has put the former MVP’s future there in doubt. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network was told that the odds of him returning in 2020 are remote. Not only that but he’d even welcome a possible move to the Bears. The reactions to this idea have been mixed. Some love it. Others aren’t into it. Newton hasn’t been the player he was four years ago. Injuries are piling up too.
Former QB David Carr though thinks Newton could do great things in Matt Nagy’s offense.
“There are questions about whether Mitchell Trubisky is the answer in Chicago, and to be honest, I don’t think he is. Even though Trubisky — and the entire Bears offense — saw improvement in Week 10, there are better options. Heck, backup Chase Daniel outplayed Trubisky, whom the Bears traded up one spot to draft second overall in 2017.
Daniel hits the market in March, while the Bears will have to decide whether to pick up Trubisky’s 2021 (fifth-year) option this offseason. It would be a surprise if Trubisky’s not on the roster in 2020, but I’d love to see Cam Newton in Chicago. He’s a great option for what Matt Nagy wants to do offensively as a more dynamic runner (once that foot is healed) and passer.”
Cam Newton is a freak but also requires specific things
The reality might be a bit different than people care to admit. Newton is a definite physical talent that is incomparable. A true freak of nature. However, as a quarterback, he requires a very specific type of offense in order to be great. One that features a strong commitment to the running game. Something that Nagy has not shown he is dedicated to. Here’s a stat that helps illustrate what that means.
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Newton has at least 36 passing attempts in a game 34 times in his NFL career. He is 811-of-1382 for 9,807 yards, 55 touchdowns, and 51 interceptions. That equates to a 78.44 passer rating. Suffice to say, Newton is not the kind of quarterback who stands in the pocket, rapidly scans the field and finds the open man. His game is about using his legs and gashing defenses off play action. It can be lethal when it works, but that isn’t the offense Nagy runs.
He’s much more a pass-first coach. That’s not a bad thing but it does require a certain type of quarterback to function properly. Newton doesn’t seem like that type. Maybe this isn’t the case. Carr seems to think so.
