NEWSLETTER
Okay, so Cam Newton hasn’t started a game since 2021. And he still believes he is worthy of being a starter in 2023. However, if that doesn’t come to fruition, Newton says he is willing to play a backup role this upcoming season. But only in the right situation.
Do the Chicago Bears make sense as a fit to be that right situation?
Well, for whatever it’s worth, Newton lists Bears quarterback Justin Fields as one of the few he is willing to sit behind if he is to return to the NFL:
As for the other QBs Cam is willing to work behind, he lists Deshaun Watson (Browns), Lamar Jackson (TBD), Justin Fields (Bears), Tua Tagovailoa (Dolphins), Malik Willis (Titans), Jalen Hurts (Eagles), Aaron Rodgers (Jets?), Josh Allen (Bills), Sam Howell (Commanders), and three rookie QBs (C.J. Stroud, Bryce Young, Anthony Richardson). It is quite a collection of quarterbacks Newton would be willing to work with this season. And had the Bears not already signed P.J. Walker (who worked with Newton in Carolina) earlier in the offseason, I might be using this space to pitch Newton as someone the Bears should consider bringing in as a QB2 option behind Fields. But the Bears brought in Walker, so there is no need to go down that road.
However, I’ll say this: If Newton doesn’t get an NFL gig this offseason, the Bears should invite Newton to chop it up with Fields. Even if it is just in an advisory role. One of the best things I thought Matt Nagy did during his time as Bears head coach was tapping into his Rolodex to bring in surprise guests to speak to his team. Surprise guests break up the monotony of the offseason, but also tend to bring a different and unique perspective. Doc Rivers, Peyton Manning, Doug Pederson, and Cris Carter were among those who came through during the Nagy era. Those were interesting in their own right. But bringing on a former NFL MVP whose game has striking similarities to the Bears’ current quarterback could be helpful.
Part of me would love to see Cam take one last shot at being an NFL quarterback. But if that doesn’t happen, then he does have suitable alternative options. And before he goes down that route, I’d hope the Bears give him a ring on Justin Fields’ behalf.
