The New England Patriots have a need at quarterback. Cam Newton is a free agent.
So why don't the Patriots take a chance on the veteran?
Former NFL head coach Eric Mangini—who was a member of New England's coaching staff from 2000 through 2005—explained why on FS1's First Things First this week:
“New England’s looking for a starter, not a star,” Mangini said. “Cam wants to be the star. He wants to be on the marquee. That’s not how the system works in New England. You are one of many, and the team is bigger than anything else. That’s really not been Cam’s M.O., and that’s fine. Different teams want different things from players at that position.”
Of course, the Pats lost Tom Brady to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in free agency back in March, leaving a rather gaping hole under center.
At the current point in time, the Patriots seem to feel comfortable with second-year signal-caller Jarrett Stidham calling the shots, but some have suggested that New England would be better off bringing in a veteran for some insurance.
Apparently, Newton is not that guy.
Newton spent the first nine years of his NFL career with the Carolina Panthers, making three Pro Bowl appearances and winning an MVP award. He also took the Panthers to the Super Bowl during the 2015-16 campaign, where they ultimately fell to the Denver Broncos.
Since that season, however, injuries and declining performance have derailed Newton's career. In 2019, the soon-to-be-31-year-old played in just two games due to a foot injury that ultimately required surgery earlier this offseason.
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