In Cam Newton, the Pats might have the perfect fit–a player who has a point to prove and a team that has a legacy to preserve.
The NFL off-season has seen some eye-catching change. Out West, a blockbuster signing brought DeAndre Hopkins to the Desert. And, for the first time, Las Vegas has a football team–the Raiders (from Oakland).
But amid the change, there’s this: the defending SB champion Kansas City Chiefs is the betting favorite to win the Super Bowl again, according to the NFL odds on bet365,
But perhaps the biggest news of all is that Tom Brady left a dynasty (and his legacy) in New England to join Tampa Bay. While TB is excited to be in TB–and the fans are, too–there are more questions than answers back in New England. Cam Newton has arrived to replace Brady but, as the season grows closer, at issue is whether Newton is up to replacing a legend.
The Brady-Belichick partnership earned New England a jaw-dropping six championships. But will the Brady-less Pats have the same aura?
Well, if there’s one thing for sure, it’s that Newton has potential. A former MVP in Carolina, Newton broke all-time NFL rookie records for passing and rushing yards by a quarterback. But following a struggle with injuries and inconsistent performance, the Panthers decided to cut ties with Newton. That’s when New England came calling.
But even the Patriots aren’t viewing Newton’s entry as a sure thing. They signed him to a bare-minimum, incentive- heavy contract with a base salary of just $1.05 million. Translation? It’s an almost no-risk move by New England. And if Newton shines on the field, he could net $6.45 million more in incentives and ‘per-game’ roster bonuses.
With these QB rivals on the roster– Jarrett Stidham, Brian Hoyer, and rookies Brian Lewerke and J’Mar Smith–the overwhelming odds are that Newton will be the Week 1 starter.
For sure, Tom Brady’s departure leaves a huge hole in the heart of the Pats, both in terms of talent and personality. But Newton is a leader, too, and he’s itching to get back to winning ways. That means he very well could be a perfect fit–a player who has a point to prove and a team that needs a big-time winner.
In Newton, the Patriots might just have a new talisman.
