Opinions vary on how the New England Patriots' quarterback situation will unfold in 2021 after the team spent a first-round pick on Mac Jones and brought back Cam Newton on a one-year deal that, though a big upgrade from the veteran's minimum to which he was signed in 2020, wasn't one that guaranteed him a whole lot of cash or security as the starter. Some think it's Newton's job for a while. Others think Jones could start early on. There's pretty much an opinion at every slot on the spectrum from Newton to Jones, and it will be quite the fun process to observe as it becomes evident who will take the reins.
And just as how there are varying thoughts on who the starter should be, there are also differing ideas about just how much Newton has left in the tank. In Mike Sando's annual "Quarterback Tiers," which features 50 NFL coaches, executives and evaluators placing 34 quarterbacks into tiers from one (the best) to five (the worst), Newton's No. 27 ranking didn't exactly come from a consensus among the experts. In fact, 19 voters placed him in Tier 3, 26 placed him in Tier 4 and there were five voters who put him in the very bottom group.
Much of the criticism revolved around the fact that injuries and the wear and tear of an NFL career have taken their toll on the 32-year-old former MVP.
"I just think he's broke," one anonymous NFL general manager said. "He no longer has the elite traits to compensate for some injuries."
Another anonymous executive thought similarly, saying that he's lost the confidence level required to dominate over the years.
"There is a confidence level to it where at any time when he was at his best, he could pull it down and really destroy you with his legs and now, having the injuries, that dynamic playmaking with his legs is not there, and he has to win with his arm and he is not all the way confident in that area," the executive said.
And while one defensive coach didn't want to put him all the way in the bottom tier, he said that he'd like to be asked again next year "after Mac Jones takes over in like Week 6." That's not overly optimistic.
However, it wasn't all pessimism emanating from Sando's compilation of analysis and opinions. One of the 50 voters says that we're thinking too much with our short-term memories.
"Week 2 last season, he is one yard away from beating Seattle on his way to starting 3-0 before landing on the COVID list," this voter said. "He goes 7-8 as a starter. Bill Belichick loads up the roster, gets a whole new linebacker corps and tight end targets. I think Cam looks more the part in 2021 than he did last season."
Perhaps this voter was Wiggy, though we're not positive.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy Sports
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
