Cam Newton Makes the Patriots Better, but Not Competitors

It was only a matter of time before Cam Newton ended up a New England Patriot. Whether the Patriots expected to sign him allowing Jarrett Stidham a chance to develop, or they plan to draft a rookie next season, they gave the veteran signal-caller a one-year “prove it” deal. Newton has been battling injuries and critics the past few seasons and without many options, a one year deal might be his only option.

While everyone is putting them atop the division again with Cam on board, there’s no guarantee he’ll get them there. First and foremost, he’s not in the NFC South anymore. Other than the recent run of the New Orleans Saints, that division sends a team deep in the playoffs and will follow the next season barely winning seven games. Either that or they’re sending someone to the playoffs at 9-7 or 8-8. The division is beyond consistent. The AFC East however is filled with bad teams, but the Patriots can’t seem to ever put them away and sweep the matchups. The pesky AFC East accounts for 3-4 of the Patriots losses most seasons.

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Then, of course, the NFC South is primarily a fair-weather division. Now, true these guys are professionals but with injury concerns, he’ll travel to Buffalo and New York late in the season. The Patriots will have Baltimore, Pittsburg, Kansas City to more than likely travel through in the playoffs. As a professional, playing in any weather is second nature, but late-season injuries challenge playoff contenders each season.

But that’s not lone hang up for the Patriots with Cam Newton. Their offense will be entirely different under Newton. Tom Brady was barely a risk to take off with the football. His footwork was the main reason Brady fell so far in the NFL draft. Their offense was built on that fact along, designed to get the ball out of Brady’s hands and into those of his speedy receivers getting the extra YAC.

Newton on the other hand plays more of the RPO style offense, and while it is designed for those same quick plays, the delay in the initial read changes the time for the play to develop. Again, Cam is a constant professional and should be able to manage, but 2019 was shaky for their offensive line. Brady was hurried and hit way more often despite his ability to get the ball out quickly. With delayed reads, Cam will either have to get the ball out quickly or take off a lot more. How long before the injury concerns start popping up, hit after hit in the colder weather.

There’s no doubt that Cam Newton instantly puts the Patriots in a better position this season. However, most of the division beefed up on pass rushers and guys to get after quarterbacks. Between the offensive changes, relocation, and divisional rivalries the Pats might not instantly run away with the division.