The New England Patriots served up a shocker on Sunday evening, signing veteran quarterback Cam Newton to a one-year deal.
Newton had been searching for a job since he was cut by the Carolina Panthers in March. The Patriots figured to be a team of interest after Tom Brady signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but rumors connecting the two sides dissipated over the course of the last few months.
Undeterred, Newton continued to work out and train in the hopes of getting signed. He will now have the opportunity to secure the starting job in New England.
Now that the Patriots appear to have their signal-caller for 2020, the question must be asked: how does this alter the playoff picture in the AFC?
What does Cam bring to the Pats?
Before asking how Newton's arrival in Foxborough changes the playoff picture, it should be asked what skill set he brings to the Patriots.
For years, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels schemed around a traditional pocket passer in Brady. Cam Newton is vastly different in nature.
Newton's mobility and propensity for making plays outside the pocket screams for the installation of more run-pass options. Cam ran tons of RPOs in Carolina, and New England has the personnel–notably James White–to run RPOs with good efficiency.
The 2015 NFL MVP should also have better protection than he had in recent years, health pending. Starting center David Andrews is planning to play after missing the entirety of the 2019 season, and starting left tackle Isaiah Wynn enters camp fully healthy.
New England did not add much at wide receiver in the offseason, instead hoping for internal improvements from guys like N'Keal Harry. But Newton's escapability might give the young receivers more time to get open on their routes.
Of course, Cam Newton himself needs to prove he is healthy. The 31-year-old has dealt with shoulder and foot issues in the last few years.
But if Cam Newton is healthy, McDaniels and the Pats have the opportunity to totally revise their offensive game plan.
What about the AFC East?
The major question will be whether Newton can help the Pats retain their stranglehold on the division.
The Buffalo Bills have a strong defense and added Stefon Diggs in the offseason. In New York, the Jets are hoping to build on an 8-8 campaign. The Miami Dolphins are unlikely to be in contention, but they are also hoping to progress in the second year under Brian Flores.
It is also important to remember the playoffs are expanding to 14 teams, opening up yet another Wild Card spot.
The Patriots boast one of the best secondaries and defenses in all of football. If Cam can come in and be effective, they have an opportunity to be among the top teams in the AFC.
Of course, the playoff picture will be crowded. Teams like the Indianapolis Colts and Cleveland Browns had strong offseasons, and both hoped to make playoff runs of their own this year. The Pittsburgh Steelers should be much improved with a healthy Ben Roethlisberger under center.
But Cam's past track record and unique skill set could make for an explosive year in New England, one in which the Patriots reassert their status as a top contender in the NFL and possibly knock out some other upstart teams in the conference.
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