Like many pundits, Stephen A. Smith is calling for the Patriots to reacquire Jimmy Garoppolo. But he’s almost certainly the only person campaigning for New England to depart with Cam Newton along the way.
On ESPN’s “First Take” Tuesday, Smith made the case for Garoppolo reuniting with Bill Belichick, citing Jimmy G’s comfort with the Patriots and 24-8 career record as a starter. Then things got weird: Smith starting screaming about Newton replacing Garoppolo in the Bay Area.
“Not only do you get Jimmy G back, but you give them Cam Newton,” Smith said. “I like Cam Newton in San Francisco. I like him with actual targets to throw the ball.”
Smith appears to blame Newton’s lackluster season on his dearth of weapons, which doesn’t explain his apparent inability to push the ball downfield. Newton was a brutally ineffective passer, throwing for just eight touchdowns — three of which came in a meaningless season finale against the Jets.
The Patriots re-signed Newton to a modest one-year deal worth $1.5 million guaranteed earlier this month.
“We’ve lamented, ‘Does Cam still have it?,’” Smith said. “But nevertheless, I’m saying you put him with weapons, the athletic stud that he is, if you still believe in Cam, there’s no question on the offensive side of the ball, that the San Francisco 49ers, with the play-calling of Kyle Shanahan, is a better option for Cam Newton than Josh McDaniels and Bill Belichick in New England being bereft of weapons.”
While the Niners have a talented group of young skill players— George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Raheem Mostert — it’s no longer accurate to say the Patriots lack weapons. New England went on a free agent spending spree, shelling out nearly $160 million in guaranteed money over a nine-day span. Most notably, they brought in tight ends Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry, along with wideouts Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne, who enjoys a close relationship with Garoppolo.
In that segment, Smith bloviates like somebody who’s missed the last month of NFL news. With the No. 3 overall pick in the NFL Draft, it would be strange for the Niners to want Newton over more draft capital. Plus, as mentioned, the Patriots are a much better team now.
Then again, this isn’t the first time Smith has been hilariously wrong about NFL matters. Three years ago, he highlighted Henry’s potential impact on a game, despite the tight end being out with an injury.
Maybe Smith thinks Henry signed with the Niners instead of the Patriots? It’s a more feasible argument than his trade proposal.
