Odds Are Heavily Against Cam Newton Being Patriots’ Starting Quarterback in 2021
By Robert Duff in NFL Football
Published:
- Will Cam Newton be the quarterback of the New England Patriots for the 2021 NFL season?
- Bookmakers are favoring no as the answer to that question at overwhelming odds of -450
- New England signed the 2015 NFL MVP to a one-year, $1.05-million contract in the offseason
Football people were viewing Cam Newton as a steal when the New England Patriots signed him in the offseason. Today, as the Patriots are stumbling along at 2-5, the veteran QB is being seen as the scapegoat for the failures of the team.
The future looks bleak for the Pats and currently, so does Newton’s future with the team.
Currently, a prop wager on whether Newton will be back in New England next season is making no the -450 odds-on favorite. The chance that Newton will be returning to the Pats for the 2021 NFL season is being offered at a betting line of +275
Odds Cam Newton will be Starting QB for Patriots in 2021
| Outcome | Odds |
|---|---|
| No | -450 |
| Yes | +275 |
Odds taken Nov. 5
The 2015 NFL MVP, Newton was signed to a one-year contract in the offseason.
Newton’s Stock Falling
Inking him at a base salary of just $1.05 million, Newton was looking like a bargain. When he led the Patriots to a 2-1 mark to open the season, Newton as NFL comeback player of the year buzz began to build.
Then it all went completely off the rails. Newton tested positive for COVID-19 and missed a game. Upon his return, he was picked off twice during an 18-12 loss to the Denver Broncos.
Cam Newton fumbles 😱
Bills win.
(via @thecheckdown)pic.twitter.com/Ab61vrSvsF
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 1, 2020
The following week saw Newton throwing three more interceptions as New England was absorbing a 33-6 drubbing from the San Francisco 49ers. Suffering the worst home loss of Bill Belichick’s career as Pats’ head coach, Belichick benched Newton in favor of Jarrett Stidham.
Last week was a must-win game for the Pats against the Buffalo Bills. Buffalo won 24-21. Newton fumbled at the Buffalo 13 with 31 seconds to play in the fourth quarter, bringing a halt to what could’ve been a game-winning drive.
Veteran Possibilities
Should the Pats opt to be moving on from Newton, there will be some veteran QBs looking for new homes next season.
On top of that list could be Dak Prescott is he isn’t franchised by the Dallas Cowboys. However, will a team be willing to lock Prescott in long-term at a big number coming off the horrific season-ending leg injury he suffered?
📺@GottliebShow sees an ideal scenario where Patriots and 49ers could benefit at the quarterback position in the future:
"The musical chairs feels like this: Jimmy Garoppolo back to New England and Matt Ryan to San Francisco." pic.twitter.com/o88W9NPNNw
— FOX Sports Radio (@FoxSportsRadio) October 30, 2020
Perhaps the Patriots will look for a reunion with former New England QBs Jacoby Brissett or Jimmy Garoppolo. Both figure to be on the market.
Sam Darnold could prove an intriguing option if the New York Jets decided to move on from their 2018 first-round draft pick. Other possibilities include Chicago’s Mitchell Trubisky or Washington’s Dwyane Haskins.
Draft Options
If New England thought Stidham was the long-term answer, the Pats wouldn’t have signed Newton. That means they are likely to be seeking out a QB of the future via the 2021 NFL Draft.
The problem is, Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence and Ohio State’s Justin Fields will be long gone when it comes time for New England to draft.
“And it would be the Jetsiest thing ever if they beat the Patriots and cost themselves a chance at Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence…” https://t.co/uMYuaKqlrK
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) November 2, 2020
It’s even unlikely they’ll get a crack at North Dakota State’s Trey Lance. That could leave the Pats to chose from among the likes of Brigham Young’s Zach Wilson, Alabama’s Mac Jones, or Florida’s Kyle Trask.
Then again, maybe New England waits until later in the draft. The Patriots haven’t been this bad since 2000. They went 5-11 that season. They also drafted a QB at 199th overall that year.
A fellow by the name of Tom Brady.
Know this, though: whoever is New England’s QB next season, it won’t be Newton.
Pick: No (-450)
Sports Writer
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
