The New England Patriots have been mostly mum on the arrival of quarterback Cam Newton, who is favored to start for the 2020 season after signing a one-year deal worth up to $7.5 million. He may be the first quarterback to step in after the departure of Tom Brady.
And that’s probably why Patriots players aren’t saying much about Newton.
Though Newton is, indeed, favored to start, he is surely a long way from winning the job away from his competition, Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer. Newton needs to learn the playbook while building rapport with his new teammates.
“Yeah, he’s been great. A lot of great energy,” guard Joe Thuney said Wednesday during a video conference with reporters. “Just works hard so far. It’s been great to meet him and everything, and looking forward to seeing what happens.”
That might be the lengthiest soundbite we’ve heard about Newton, perhaps because the Patriots are attempting to pump the brakes on the free agent acquisition. Bill Belichick always seems to be in control of the narrative surrounding his players. And it seems as if the Patriots are all on the same page: Don’t talk about Newton.
“Cam obviously has played a lot of football and had a successful career. I’m excited to see what all our quarterbacks can do,” center David Andrews said last week. “They all bring something different to the table.”
Running back James White said that he hadn’t even gotten an opportunity to speak with Newton as of last week, when players had yet to report to the facility.
“I know he’s a very competitive, very good football player. I’m excited to have him in the locker room,” White said last week. “We have three talented quarterbacks on this football team, guys who can go out and compete and help us get wins. … We will all be competing for playing time.”
Newton is anything but a mystery. He broadcasts his big persona across all of his social media channels, which is how we knew he’s been working out with Patriots receivers Julian Edelman, Mohamed Sanu, Damiere Byrd, Jakobi Meyers and Gunner Olszewski and tight end Devin Asiasi during the offseason. To a degree, the Patriots players probably know more about Newton — and have stronger first impressions — than they’re letting on.
It wouldn’t be the least bit surprising if the Patriots were attempting to pump the brakes on the narrative about Newton. He still needs to earn his starting job, even with all the talent in the world. He still needs to stay healthy and win over the locker room. He still needs to earn it.
But the morsels of information that players sharing seem to send a message: so far so good.
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