With Russell Wilson and Deshaun Watson still out there, Chicago Bears fans don’t want to hear about alternatives. They want to feel like they have a shot at a genuine superstar for once in their lives. Understandable after all the pain and misery they’ve endured for decades at the quarterback position. Yet a lot of experts don’t see that happening. They will ultimately end up settling for somebody cheap like Marcus Mariota, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and even…Cam Newton?
That is a name people have connected to Chicago dating back a full year now. He seemed like such an obvious choice in 2020. The Carolina Panthers had parted ways, electing to go in a new direction. Suddenly there he was. A former MVP just sitting on the market. It was a no-brainer. Instead, the Bears elected to trade for Nick Foles. Newton waited a while before signing with the New England Patriots.
That experiment didn’t go as hoped.
Newton did run for almost 600 yards and 12 touchdowns during the season, but his passing was not pretty. He finished with less than 3,000 yards including eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions. His 47.0 QBR was the lowest of his career. A sign that teams’ concerns about his inability to throw like he used to were validated. Yet that didn’t stop Sheil Kapadia of The Athletic from predicting he is ultimately the quarterback Chicago ends up with.
“Cam Newton (QB): Bears
I know what you’re thinking: Sheil, the Bears could have signed Newton last offseason and passed. Why would they sign him this year?
I would advise you to not apply rational thinking to the Bears’ moves. The fact is they’re stuck without a quarterback and have limited options. Newton might be in the same boat without many alternatives. Is it likely to work out well? Of course not. But I refuse to believe Chicago is just going to roll into next season with Nick Foles.”
Why not? They had the choice of Newton or Foles last year and went with Foles. Nothing about what happened in 2020 should’ve changed their minds. Foles actually had a better QBR despite being behind far worse protection during his time as the starter. If the worst-case scenario came to pass, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the Bears just ride it out with him one more year. Undoubtedly with more support around him this time.
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Cam Newton isn’t going to save this regime
If Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels couldn’t get a top season out of the quarterback, there is no reason to think Matt Nagy will fare any better. Newton isn’t the kind of player this coaching staff wants at that position. They want a guy who can survey and deliver from the pocket. The athleticism is nice but it’s not a necessity. He used to be able to do it all, but it’s clear his ability to beat teams with his arm has greatly diminished.
Cam Newton may latch on somewhere. He’s still a dangerous threat with his legs. In the right system, he can be a serviceable starter. The Bears don’t need serviceable. They need effective. If it’s not Wilson or Watson, expect them to target somebody on the younger side who has flashed quality play before. Mariota is an obvious one. Maybe Gardner Minshew as well.
One also can’t rule out the NFL draft.
Try to imagine the reaction of Bears fans if they try to roll out Newton as their answer at quarterback. Nagy and Pace would be laughed out of Soldier Field. Settling for a guy clearly past his prime is inviting disaster. They have to take the biggest swing they possibly can. Newton wouldn’t be a swing. He’d be an admission of defeat. Chicago can do better. It must do better.