Patriots Super Bowl contenders again with Cam Newton signing
Bill Belichick proved that he is the best chess player after signing star free-agent Cam Newton last night.
The former NFL MVP signed with the New England Patriots on an one-year incentive-laden deal sources told ESPN. Newton was let go back in late-March from the Carolina Panthers ending their nine-year relationship. He will now try to replace future Hall of Famer Tom Brady in New England after Brady left this offseason to join the Tampa Bay Bucs.
Newton’s 2019 season came to a halt after suffering a foot injury. He has since been rehabbing after foot surgery and has been posting workout videos with NFL star Odell Beckham Jr. showing his progress. Newton passed a physical back in March showing that his foot and both shoulders were indeed healthy, but what does this mean for Belichick and the Pats? Caesars Sportsbook has already moved the Pats from 25-1 to 20-1 to win it all but I think the Pats should be a legitimate favorite to get that seventh ring.
The Patriots last season looked like a shell of themselves especially late in the season and in the playoffs. While having the best defense in the league they struggled offensively in about every game with Brady at the helm. And that’s no knock against Brady as the Pats really had no offensive skill players to speak of. So what will Newon change for the Pats? If they can remain a top defensive team in the league, we could see a powerful run-heavy team like the Baltimore Ravens with Lamar Jackson. Belichick spent money in the offseason retooling his offensive line and securing tight ends in Dalton Keene and Devin Asiasi that can run block. He will also be able to create new schemes with Newton who is a polar opposite of Brady athletic wise and find creative ways to get Newton out as a runner. This possibility all depends on the health of Newton who does have an injury-riddled career though. If Belichick is going to get the most out of Newton he will need to implement quick throws in his game like how Norv Turner did with him in Carolina in 2018 where he had a great start to the season and was looking more accurate as a passer. And we all know accuracy is important in a Belichick offense.
With the rise of the Buffalo Bills last season, many thought the Pats would be in trouble in their division which they have dominated for nearly a decade. With this Cam signing, that theory just goes out the window. The Bills still have to get Josh Allen to the next level as a passer if they're going to improve on their season from last year. The New York Jets still have uncertainty with their team especially after star safety Jamal Adams requested a trade just last week. And the Miami Dolphins are just trying to get their rookie QB Tua Tagovailoa on the field and healthy. So with all those factors in mind how can you not pick the Pats to remain supreme in that division. Looking past the division their two main threats are the Kansas City Chiefs and Ravens who Belichick has had success against before. If the Pats’ offense can become a juggernaut like I believe they can, I can see them being able to compete against those two teams and beating them.
Belichick has a lot at stake with this singing, but if it was someone who would get the best version possible of Cam it’s going to be him. Beware of the 2020 Patriots.
