A week since free agency began, a big name just landed on the open market. Former league MVP Cam Newton was officially released by the Panthers Tuesday. The team signed free-agent quarterback Teddy Bridgewater last week and immediately put Newton on the trade block. There apparently were no interested teams, so Newton was simply let go.
Following the week of free-agent signings and trades at the quarterback position, there were a handful of teams left with a need at the position. Most notably the Bengals, Dolphins, Chargers, and Patriots.
The Bengals are expected to sit tight and take LSU QB Joe Burrow with the number one overall pick. The Dolphins sit at the 5th overall pick and are expected to go after Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa, perhaps even trading up to do so. After that, the Chargers could go with Oregon’s Justin Herbert…OR they could jump on Newton instead.
This offseason the Chargers parted ways with Philip Rivers after 16 years. Rivers signed with the Colts. At this moment the Chargers are saying they are moving forward with Tyrod Taylor, but few actually believe that.
No offense to Taylor, but he isn’t the answer if the Chargers hope to put up any fight against the reigning Super Bowl champion Chiefs in the battle for the division crown.
What the Chargers need is a big splash as they are set to play in their new stadium in Los Angeles. Newton would be an immense splash. He would make things a lot more exciting for a Chargers team that is desperate for a fan presence and a foothold in the city.
Already the Chargers are an afterthought behind the Rams and even behind the Raiders who relocated to Las Vegas this offseason to play in their new stadium there.
Newton would sell some merchandise and could have Chargers games at least slightly less dominated by opposing fans. Since they moved to LA three seasons ago, they routinely play their home games in front of more fans of the opposing team than their own. That goes especially for their annual game against the Raiders.
From the looks of things, Newton is destined to either be wearing a Patriots or a Chargers uniform next season and the Chargers would seem to make the most sense of the two.
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