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The New Orleans Saints lost quarterback Teddy Bridgewater in free agency to the cross-division Carolina Panthers, but there’s a (slim) chance they could end up swapping one passer for another. The Panthers followed up that move by releasing Cam Newton, longtime face of the franchise, and the oddsmakers at BetMGM have put the Saints in the running to acquire the league’s 2015 MVP.
Now, sure, technically the Saints are in last-place among Newton’s possible suitors. Their long-shot chances (+12,500) trail 15 other NFL teams, with the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, and Los Angeles Rams ahead of New Orleans in a three-way tie (+10,000). The team seen as most-likely to land Newton is the Los Angeles Chargers (at +300), with the Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars narrowly behind (+350).
But why would the Saints even pursue Newton, with Drew Brees under contract and Taysom Hill set to play on a first-round restricted free agent tender? Well, both of those players could be gone after the 2020 season thanks to Brees’ contract structure and Hill’s status as an unrestricted free agent next summer.
In the shorter view, though, Hill has played at his best when the Saints have lined him up everywhere but quarterback. Adding Newton would put a buffer between Brees and Hill on the depth chart, allowing Hill to catch passes, make blocks, and continue to slam his throwing shoulder into opponents on punts and kickoffs. Expect the Saints to sign a veteran free agent at quarterback, though it probably won’t be Newton (and don’t tell Cameron Jordan that).
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
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