Free agent quarterback Cam Newton is entering the back 9 of his career, but where could he land in free agency as a backup option?
Cam Newton, the former MVP of the NFL has undergone quite the rollercoaster of a career. Ever since his MVP campaign in 2015, Newton has seemed to regress into just a backup caliber option.
He was the starting quarterback for the New England Patriots back in 2020, and the team released him in favor of Mac Jones.
Newton then returned to Carolina but did more harm than good in his limited action in 2021. If Cam Newton wants to remain in the NFL, he’s going to have to take a backup job, which is fine.
Quality backup quarterbacks are needed, so Newton should be able to find a home if he is satisfied in a reserve role.
The question now is which teams would be the best fit for Newton’s services? He surely won’t be signed to compete for a starting job, so which teams would take him in as their QB2?
2022 Destinations for Cam Newton – Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears took Justin Fields with the 11th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Fields’ rookie season was a mess, but with a completely new regime in the Windy City, perhaps the right coaches have been placed around him.
With Andy Dalton set to be a free agent, Justin Fields and Nick Foles seem to be QB1 and QB2 heading into the season. However, I think Cam Newton would be a better fit as a backup than Foles.
The Bears would have to eat just over $7 million in dead money if they released Foles, and I have a hard time imagining they’d be able to trade him.
Either way, the Bears should consider signing Newton as the backup. He and Fields have similar qualities, and Newton has a ton of experience playing in the NFC.
If I remember correctly, there seemed to be a bit of traction with Cam Newton potentially signing with the Bears before the 2021 season. Now, with Fields in place, it makes a lot of sense.
While Foles is a quality backup with solid experience, I think Newton’s skill set would be more appropriate if the Bears want to ensure they can develop Fields to their fullest ability.