Cam Newton will not be suiting up for the Carolina Panthers in 2020. While the team is still trying to trade him after agreeing to terms with Teddy Bridgewater, the lastest reporting suggests Newton is going to be released very soon. There are still questions about Newton’s foot and throwing shoulder. However, those are mostly overblown. Newton has plenty of time to get 100% healthy by the time next season begins, so somebody is going to roll the dice on him. The only question is who.
Here are three teams who would benefit the most from adding Newton either by trade or signing him.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers are one of a handful of teams around the league that has no clear QB1 on the roster right now. Philip Rivers has agreed to a one-year deal with the Colts, which leaves Tyrod Taylor as the most likely candidate to start Week 1. While Taylor is a strong backup option, he’s not a true franchise quarterback who can carry a team to the playoffs, especially in a division as brutal as the AFC West is going to be. Moreover, everything Taylor can do Newton can do better.
Newton going to the Chargers makes a lot of sense. However, other scenarios are better for them. For example, Los Angeles is in line to pick at No. 6 in the 2020 NFL draft, which means they’re in prime position to land Oregon’s Justin Herbert, the third-best quarterback prospect in this class. Picking Herbert there would give the Chargers a much younger franchise QB to build around and cost far less than adding Newton. Herbert is still a bit raw, but Taylor is a solid bridge quarterback while he develops.