


He waits until a starter or two goes down, and he shoots his shot.Īfter he was released, Newton released a message on Instagram: "I really appreciate all the love and support during this time but I must say … please don’t feel sorry for me!" What happens next for Newton? My guess is he gets vaccinated, and then he waits. Once unstoppable, now he shows the signs of a player, at the age of 32 (which is 42 in running-quarterback years), who has lost multiple steps. He was many different things to many different people but, most of all, Newton was a force. He both made dumb and obnoxious mistakes and was a target of racists. The same way Steve Young, Randall Cunningham and Mike Vick did. Newton, with few exceptions, has long been a brave, tough and mentally strong player who pushed the physical boundaries of what running quarterbacks could do. It was only six years ago when he was described as a player who was transforming the position. It's probably important to pause one second and remember just how good Newton was, and how remarkable this moment is. Newton's play, and the potency of it, has been in a steady decline. In 2015, Newton's MVP season, he threw for 35 scores and 10 picks, and in 2018 he threw for 24 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Last year he threw eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Last season, he looked creaky, and while Newton hasn't always been the most accurate passer, he was accurate enough, but not with the Patriots. The explosiveness that once terrified defenses is gone. The violence of football has clearly acted as an accelerant on his body. Yet it's easy to see, particularly within the past few years, Newton has physically deteriorated, and it's happened rapidly. Maybe he gets vaccinated and signs with another team, gets a starting shot and shocks the NFL world. NFL roster cuts: Updates on big-name players being released MORE: NFL, NFLPA agree to weekly COVID testing for vaccinated players and staff
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OPINION: Mac Jones is a better fit as Patriots QB MORE: Where could Cam Newton land after being released by Patriots? He's a former league MVP and made a Super Bowl appearance by essentially carrying the Carolina offense on his back. He is, after all, one of the most transformational players in league history, who holds the record for career quarterback rushing touchdowns at 70. Of course, Newton is capable of surprising doubters. Until that changes (if it changes), teams may not want to risk bringing Newton in and exposing their quarterback rooms, and team, to COVID. In other words, Newton may no longer possess the physical skills to be a starter. These are blunt words, but they are also likely accurate. Doesn't seem teams believe he is a starter, and I don't know if he's the backup they'd want." "Every team passed, and the Patriots were the only team willing to give him a shot. "I think we started to see that when the Panthers released him," Clark told USA TODAY Sports. Another ESPN analyst, Ryan Clark, who played 12 seasons for three NFL teams and won a Super Bowl with Pittsburgh, echoed Riddick. Riddick isn't alone in believing Newton's career is at a critical juncture. I just don't see it as being the designated, unquestioned starter at this point." He looks much healthier than last season for sure, but I think we all know he isn't what he once was. "I think Cam will have to adjust his expectations at this point. Riddick is now an ESPN analyst and part of the "Monday Night Football" broadcast team. "The end as a regular starter I believe has arrived," Riddick, who played for four NFL teams and was a scout and front office executive on two others, told USA TODAY Sports. The question: Are we seeing the beginning of the end of Newton's career? Louis Riddick, one of the smartest football analysts alive, was asked a simple question after news broke Tuesday that quarterback Cam Newton had been cut by the Patriots. Watch Video: Chris Godwin's advice to NFL players getting cut this week
