Everyone involved can agree, Cam Newton did not have the best 2020 season.
The 2015 NFL MVP went 7-8 as a starter, completed 66% of his passes and threw eight touchdowns compared to 10 interceptions, although it should be noted he added 12 rushing touchdowns. In terms of touchdown passes, he was 34th in the NFL.
While Newton certainly wasn’t the only problem with the 2020 Patriots, his play was part of the reason why they finished 7-9 and had their worst season since 2000.
But, there were some things working against him.
No. 1, his signing became official in early July, so he missed out on the entire offseason and didn’t get much time to work with his new teammates as well as limited time to learn the system. No. 2, everything that came with COVID-19, including the QB himself getting it early in the year and having to miss a game. And No. 3, the lack of offensive weapons the Patriots had him surrounded with.
“By the time I came back (from COVID), I didn’t feel comfortable — skillfully,” Newton said on the “I AM ATHLETE” podcast this offseason. “And a lot of that discomfort came pre-snap. I’ve always valued my talents as something that’s an improv. Like, ‘Oh, I’m going to make a play. I know how to make a play.’ In this system, it dictates by certain things and working with Josh [McDaniels] and [quarterbacks coach] Jedd [Fisch] at the time.
“Throughout those times, there was times where it was just like, ‘Hold on, set 180. Wait am I supposed to, set 1-8-what? Hold on.’ I was thinking too much. Going back to that analogy, the offense kept going and I was stopped and stagnant for a week, two weeks. By the time I came back, it was new terminology. I was like, ‘Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Let’s go back to No. 1.’ I wasn’t trying to learn the system for what it was. I was learning a 20-year system in two months.”
Newton is back with the team for 2021, as he signed a one-year deal again this offseason and even if the team selects a quarterback in the NFL Draft, it seems more likely than not he would be under center at least to start the season.
And when it comes to the things working against him last year, they won’t be this year. The quarterback is set up for success. There are no excuses.
Relating to No. 1, Newton has a full offseason in the system and he reportedly was present at the voluntary offseason workout program that began Monday. He also has been working with a few pass-catchers privately over the last few weeks. No. 2, there shouldn’t be as many restrictions relating to COVID. And No. 3, the Patriots went out and added a number of talented offensive players this offseason.
Last year, Newton was working with a group that included Sony Michel, Damien Harris, Rex Burkhead, Jakobi Meyers, N’Keal Harry, Damiere Byrd, Gunner Olszewski, Ryan Izzo and Devin Asiasi. This year, Newton will be working with Michel, Harris, Meyers, Olszewski, Asiasi, as well as Jonnu Smith, Hunter Henry, Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne, plus whatever comes via the draft.
What a difference a year makes.
While no one is expecting Newton to be a top five quarterback in the NFL, things are set up for him in Year 2 to be an average to above average player at the position, and that should be more than enough to get the Patriots back to the postseason.
Making all the moves that they did this offseason, it was pretty much an admission by the Patriots that they did not surround Newton with enough last year.
The team did its part, now it’s up to him to do his.