Cam Newton’s decision to continue playing football in 2022 didn’t surprise many. Although the former MVP isn’t what he once was, he also isn’t at the point yet where retirement is a must.
That being said, Newton clearly needs to land in the right situation to succeed. Over the past several years he has failed to do that.
Things may change this season, though.
Recently, a particularly strong case was made for Newton to serve as Dallas’ backup quarterback.
“Stylistically speaking, Newton is a better fit to backup Dak Prescott than any other available options,” Blogging The Boys wrote. “Newton’s size and physicality mirror that of Prescott without losing the mobility that make him a viable dual threat when necessary. Additionally, his wealth of experience in the NFL would provide for a less significant drop-off in the event he ever ended up actually playing.”
This isn’t the first such argument to be made. On Twitter, a debate exploded this week regarding Newton’s backup potential:
Everyone has this idea that Cam Newton fans think he’s still MVP Cam. We’re not that delusional. We just know that a older Cam who isn’t what he used to be is still a better option than Sam, and he’s a lot more fun to watch.
— Matthew (@Matthew33420319) May 24, 2022
Cam was terrible last year: (fan excuse) “OC was bad, no time to know playbook”. And we’re all supposed to be “oh ok then”
Sam was terrible: (fan excuse) “See previous reasons”. But we get a “No, he’s garbage and it’s all his fault” 😐
— Robert Hynes JR. (@HeNeverScored) May 26, 2022
Preach. https://t.co/3KHtFuRxv6
— The Crown Club 🕺🏽🛸💕 (@CrownClubCLT) May 25, 2022
All of this. https://t.co/dRPMi3LIee
— Scotty (@ScootMcgoot1) May 25, 2022
Except we lost every game but 1 when Newton came back 🙄 and Darnold comes back after an injury and when he played that was when we had higher scores. Face it we are going to suck until we get a new head coach who is going to put a full team together & not just use a name
— Samantha Gunn (@sgunn2930) May 25, 2022
Bingo. Everyone who keeps saying he’s not are the actual delusional people thinking Baker Mayfield is better when he’s toxic and not a good teammate to be around https://t.co/crzafZYkR7
— Snake (@Elijah_Shriner) May 25, 2022
Team averaged less points, less yards and less time of possession when Cam started compared to when Sam started. But so much fun!
— BoozeHound (@RippingToots) May 25, 2022
Amen. An 85% Cam gives me more hope on any given Sunday than a 100% Sam. https://t.co/zUP03Xkcr1
— SalesMan (Lord of the Douche Bags) (@95KeepPounding) May 25, 2022
Last season Newton recorded nine touchdowns and five interceptions in his stint with the Carolina Panthers. Sam Darnold, who had the benefit of being the consensus starter in the offseason, four more games played and 500 more snaps, only amassed five more touchdowns than him.
Clearly there is a place for Newton in the NFL. Is it with the Cowboys, though? That’s the million dollar question.
In the past, team owner Jerry Jones has been very blunt in his assessment of Newton. It’s unclear whether that opinion still holds.
Newton has been in the headlines nonstop this offseason. First for rejecting Brittany Renner to her face. Then for revealing why he wouldn’t marry the mother of his four kids. And of course for his role in Travis Kelce and his girl breaking up.
That said – Newton is a football player. And as much as he is fine with making news off-the-field, on it is where he wants to make his mark.
That’s quite the workout. https://t.co/ZmhkF3qERb
— Game 7 (@game7__) May 28, 2022
Will he be able to do that in 2022-23?
Time will tell.
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A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
