2 NFL contenders identified as Cam Newton landing spots

Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio identified the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills as NFL contenders that should consider Cam Newton to be their backup quarterback in a piece published on April 7.

“In Buffalo, Newton would bring a skillset that better meshes with Josh Allen,” Florio wrote. “Newton’s mobility would allow one playbook for both quarterbacks, instead of plays for Allen and plays for the understudy who lacks Allen’s mobility. In Kansas City, Newton would get a chance to work with quarterback wizard Andy Reid, and possibly to run one of the best offenses in football, if Patrick Mahomes gets injured. They’ve made it work with guys like Chad Henne and Matt Moore. They could definitely make it work with Newton.”

To Florio, backup money “isn’t bad” in Newton’s situation. “Even though it would be a major step down from where Newton was in his prime, backup-quarterback money isn’t bad,” Florio said. “But few former franchise quarterbacks are willing to accept a new reality as someone other than the guy.”

Cam Newton could serve in Joe Flacco type role

Though what Florio suggested Cam Newton do isn’t typical, the precedent for it has been set. Joe Flacco, a former Super Bowl MVP in his own right, has happily held the clipboard since leaving the Baltimore Ravens in 2018.

“Plenty of franchise quarterbacks just won’t do it, checking out in lieu of holding a clipboard,” Florio wrote. “One of the rare exceptions is Joe Flacco, who continued to find work after his days as a starter ended — in part because he wasn’t repeatedly telling the world he thinks he still deserves to be a starter.”

FanSided’s Michael DeRosa had previously made the case for Newton to join the Chiefs.

“Although the Chiefs adding Newton would not be a game-changing signing, it would give them some much-needed insurance at QB if Mahomes suffers any injuries during the year,” DeRosa wrote. “With that, it would not hurt to have another veteran in their locker room to help mentor their younger players. Lastly, although Newton likely wants to be a starter, it also seems possible that he wouldn’t mind being a backup on an elite team like the Chiefs. After all, he has yet to add a Super Bowl ring to his resume.”