5 Best Fits for Cam Newton in 2020

BY ADAM GREENE

Sunday, the Carolina Panthers let it be known that injured franchise quarterback Cam Newton was officially on the trading block. It capped what has to be the dumbest week in the history of the franchise that began with the premature firing of head coach Ron Rivera.

According to Ian Rappaport of the NFL Network, Carolina is looking for a “large deal,” whatever that could mean. A healthy Cam Newton is obviously worth multiple first round picks and with a price tag of $18.6 million, he’s a downright bargain.

The problem is, Newton hasn’t been healthy the last two seasons and just recently underwent Lisfranc surgery on his foot. That’s actually good news, because the indication is that Cam wants to play. I wasn’t so sure that was the case when he released his cigar-smoking “Why I’m sidelined” youtube video a couple of months ago. I mean, the dude was wearing a normal human hat and not a Mexican sombrero with a working train set circling the brim. I had reason for concern.

The teams that Carolina would most like to deal with, squads like the Cincinnati Bengals and Miami Dolphins, are in prime position to draft their own rookie potential franchise quarterback. The Bengals currently pick No. 1 and are likely already selecting Joe Burrow’s jersey number. With the New York Giants picking second (who grabbed Daniel Jones last year), a new Washington Redskins regime could fall in love with Tua Tagovailoa (and they should) over Dwayne Haskins, but the Dolphins would still have Justin Herbert fall right into their lap without trading up.

Nope, the Panthers need to be looking at picks, players and teams that would actually be in the market for a franchise quarterback. Here are the five best fits as I see it.

An aside before the list begins, the Pittsburgh Steelers would be an outstanding landing spot for Newton, but they don’t have a first rounder this season after trading it to the Miami Dolphins for Minkah Fitzpatrick and they definitely wouldn’t be willing to ship off any of the young, talented players they’ve amassed over the last few seasons. They’re off the table.

5. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

First off, I like Gardner Minshew and there’s every chance he could turn into an NFL starter. There’s also every chance he could just be a jock-strap yoga version of Ryan Fitzpatrick. That’s great as a back up and he’ll have a long and lucrative career, but Jacksonville has been hurting at QB for decades. Blake Bortles wasn’t the guy. Neither is Nick Foles, apparently.

Jacksonville has a decent roster and that No. 7 overall pick, with a little later round juice, should be plenty to entice the Panthers regime to fork over Newton.

4. CHICAGO BEARS

The Bears are a quarterback away from being a real contender in the NFC and they know it. Mitchell Trubisky has put together solid back-to-back weeks and if he continues playing at that high a level, even with Chicago realistically out of the playoff hunt, they should roll with him again.

But if he doesn’t, the Bears would be smart to start working the phones in Carolina the second the season ends. The Panthers might be willing to do a straight up trade for Trubisky, along with maybe a second rounder, to take on that rookie contract and see what they can do with him.

Chicago would immediately be in the NFC North conversation with Newton under center. His style of play, especially in the cold in December, would be a nightmare for teams in that division.

3. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Indianapolis is in trouble. Frank Reich has done too good a job coaching this team and putting this roster together for them to have a shot at any of the top three quarterbacks in this year’s draft or even next year’s. I think there’s some real value in Jake Fromm from Georgia as a late first rounder and my guess is some NFL team will agree. Will it be Indy? If they don’t trade for Cam, probably.

But, just like the Bears, the Colts instantly become not only an AFC South contender, but a potential AFC Super Bowl contender in 2020. Especially if Tom Brady retires and the Patriots fall apart or get sanctioned to death for cheating again. It’s not going to happen, but we can all dream a while.

2. DENVER BRONCOS

John Elway has been desperate to get a real quarterback in Denver since Peyton Manning hung up his spurs in 2016. He’s not afraid to spend money and take a chance on a franchise quarterback with injury concerns. When Elway signed Manning back in 2012, nobody knew if Manning could still play or even move his neck.

Two Super Bowl appearances and one Super Bowl victory, it all worked out. The Broncos have the draft capital and, more importantly, players that the Panthers would take a serious look at. Denver made no secret that they’d like to toss out Von Miller’s contract and that’s a trade Carolina would be smart to consider.

1. CAROLINA PANTHERS

Newton’s best fit is right where is. No matter who the Panthers hire as Rivera’s replacement, he will find no better quarterback option in the draft, free agent or trade market than the guy already on his roster. If Drew Brees doesn’t retire, he’ll stay in New Orleans. The same goes for Philip Rivers in Los Angeles. Tom Brady, if the Patriots let him go, isn’t playing in Charlotte.

Cam’s price tag is cheap. He’s the face of the franchise. The fact that they’ve publicly stated they’d look to trade him in the first place is just one more dumb move by a franchise that’s made dumb moves a habit this season.

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