While Cam Newton’s best days in the NFL are behind him, the former league MVP doesn’t believe that’s the case.
The former Carolina Panthers star just can’t wrap his head around Andy Dalton, Gardner Minshew, Kyle Trask and Sam Howell all potentially having a Week 1 starting quarterback jobs and not him, so he’s decided to throw at Auburn’s upcoming pro day as an audition of sorts for a comeback.
Newton presumably won’t land a starting gig in 2023, but he could be a serviceable backup in more than a few places. Here are a few destinations that would make sense for him:
Baltimore Ravens
It’s still not a given Lamar Jackson will be Baltimore’s starting quarterback in 2023, and it’s possible another team may snatch up Tyler Huntley before the draft. In either case — as a potential starter or a backup — Newton may be worth a gamble for the Ravens.
The 33-year-old former Heisman Trophy winner may not be as fast as Jackson or the kind of game-breaking runner that he is, but his mobility is still one of his strengths. Newton still has a solid arm, and he knows how to win. (He has a 75-68-1 record as a starter and three seasons with double-digit wins.) Baltimore could do a lot worse if Jackson isn’t the one under center in 2023.
Los Angeles Rams
Matthew Stafford is coming off a spinal cord injury, and there’s no guarantee he will be the player he was during L.A.’s Super Bowl run. With Baker Mayfield bolting to Tampa Bay, it would behoove the Rams to bring in an experienced backup should anything happen to Stafford.
With a tight end tandem of Tyler Higbee and Hunter Long, plus a healthy Cooper Kupp and Van Jefferson, Los Angeles has enough playmakers that Newton could have decent success if thrown into a starting role. Plus his legs could be an added benefit to the Rams ground game.
Washington Commanders
The Commanders are selling hard on Howell as the team’s QB1, but it’s difficult to see anyone buying their confidence level in the 22-year-old as anywhere near 100 percent. Though he did win his lone start as a rookie, his 169-yard, one-touchdown, one-interception performance didn’t exactly inspire much hope that he could be a legit starting QB in the NFL.
Newton may have just enough in the tank to be a serviceable starter in 2023, and with Washington’s weapons — running back Brian Robinson plus receivers Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel and Jahan Dotson — he may afford the team another year to let Howell develop or another quarterback should the team draft one in April.
