The Patriots have never run an entire offense with a quarterback with Newton’s skill set, but there is a fascinating — though small — sample size of something similar. We have to go back to Week 3 of the 2016 season, when Brady was serving a four-game suspension for his part in the Deflategate scandal, then-backup Jimmy Garoppolo suffered a shoulder injury in Week 2 against the Dolphins, and New England put rookie Jacoby Brissett on the field with an interesting selection of designed runs and option packages. The Texans couldn’t stop biting on the run fakes, Brissett was able to handle a rudimentary passing playbook, and the Patriots won, 27-0.
When you look at the designed runs the Panthers created for Newton over the years, and this 13-yard run in the first quarter … well, it doesn’t take much to superimpose the fit.
And this 27-yard Brissett touchdown run, which was created by Houston’s defense dying on the run fake to LeGarrette Blount — who gained 105 yards and scored two touchdowns on 24 carries … well, once again, we are looking at a similarly explosive run potential.
So. A similar overall passing game structure, which would lead to minimal ramp-up time when minimal ramp-up time will be of primary importance as the 2020 season does begin. A coaching staff that was able to create a complementary offense on the fly for a running quarterback. The most schematically curious head coach in the game, who has acknowledged Newton’s greatness. It may not be the most conventional fit, given our memories of how New England’s offense worked with Brady at the helm for two decades, but there are a ton of reasons that a healthy Cam Newton could run New England’s offense right back into the playoffs — albeit with a very different look.
Public Enemy No. 1? Cam Newton might turn out to be Bill Belichick’s new best friend.