A few months ago I could’ve told you the Pats needed Superman to save their season. Apparently that was oddly specific. The Patriots have announced they’ve signed Cam Newton to a one-year “incentive-laden” deal worth up to $7.5 million. I’m going to stop right there. Just for perspective, Ryan Tannehill’s contract is worth $118 million with $61 million fully guaranteed and $91 million total guaranteed. I’m gonna say that again. Ryan Tannehill. Ryan *bleeping* Tannehill is making a tenth of a billion dollars, and the Patriots signed an actual former league MVP for a deal that tops out at $7.5 million if he has a perfect season? That’s Bill Belichick doing Bill Belichick things if I’ve ever seen it.
On top of how exponentially cheap this signing is, it makes more sense than people realize. Jarrett Stidham is entering his second full season with New England having made zero regular season starts. Despite all the praise he’s gotten this offseason, that doesn’t exactly seem like someone who’s primed to make an immediate impact in a league that’s becoming incredibly competitive at the top. The last two seasons have certainly been unkind and unlucky for Cam Newton with injuries, but people are quick to forget what he’s capable of when he’s fully healthy. Lest we all forget he took a Panthers team with limited offensive weapons and a stacked defense to a Super Bowl. Sound familiar? Did he crack under the pressure (and underneath Von Miller)? Sure, but that’s what we call learning the hard way.
I don’t think many people would disagree with me when I say that Stidham still has a lot to learn. Who better to learn from than a former league MVP in Newton, and the 11 year veteran in Brian Hoyer? If anyone remembers the Patriots Rams post-Super Bowl comments by Tom Brady, Brady pointed out how pivotal Hoyer was in preparation for that game as a scout QB. Many also seem to forget the fact that Stidham and Newton are both Auburn graduates.
At worst, Belichick cuts Newton in preseason the same way he cut Tim Tebow back in 2015, and Stidham takes the reigns. At best, Cam Newton makes 17 starts, puts the Patriots in Super Bowl contention again, and is the bridge QB for Stidham. We have yet to see Newton back on the field, or even how Belichick plans on using him.
With Cam (more or less) having his job pulled out from underneath him in Carolina, it sounds like there’s a QB with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove. Again… sound familiar?

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