Chicago Bears: Evaluating Cam Newton as a potential fit
By Ryan Sikes
Cam Newton was released by the Carolina Panthers earlier today. They already added Nick Foles, but might the Chicago Bears have interest?
Things just got really interesting for the Chicago Bears. Last week during the first wave of free agency, they acquired Nick Foles in exchange for a compensatory fourth-round draft pick. And according to reports, Cam Newton was released by the Panthers.
The Chicago Bears had previously been linked to Newton this offseason, but they reportedly were not interested at the time given him being adamant about starting. However, might General Manager Ryan Pace be open to a three-man competition for the job?
Yes, the salary cap is an issue, and most certainly, the Chicago Bears are aware of Newton’s recent struggles to remain healthy. The former Heisman winner and 2015 NFL MVP has had two shoulder surgeries dating back to March 2017. The most recent one was described as not a “major surgery” for Newton but should still be factored into any potential signing.
He was limited to just two games in 2019 but played in 14 games in 2018, following the torn rotator cuff surgery. That year, Newton threw for 3,395 yards and completed a career-best 67.9 percent of his passes with 24 touchdowns.
Adam Schefter also reported that Newton passed a physical, and is healthy to play, quieting questions that have lingered around Newton.
Cam Newton had a physical in Atlanta yesterday coordinated by the Panthers and his agency team, per sources. Newton passed the physical and is healthy, per source, with both his shoulder and foot “checking out well and he is hungrier than ever and eager for the next opportunity.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 24, 2020
Entering his age 31 season, Newton still appears capable of starting but would he entertain an open competition? Personally, I think he ends up with the Los Angeles Chargers, who recently saw franchise-quarterback, Philip Rivers, leave town.
New England would also make some sense given Tom Brady’s departure, but they just brought back Brian Hoyer and are high on Jarrett Stidham being the next face of the franchise.
Next. Bears must sign one of these three running backs. dark
If the Chicago Bears can get Newton on a one-year deal, and he’s willing to come here, I think they have to do it. It was evident last season that the quarterback position is going to control how far this team will go. This defense has the quality of the 1985 season, and it would be a shame to waste Khalil Mack and Eddie Jackson‘s prime with an inefficient quarterback.
| Passing | Rushing | Receiving | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rk | Player | From | To | AV | G | QBrec | Cmp | Att | Cmp% | Yds | TD | Rate | Lng | Int | Sk | Yds | Y/A | AY/A | NY/A | ANY/A | Att | Yds | TD | Y/A | Lng | Rec | Yds | TD | Y/R | Lng |
| 1 | Nick Foles | 2012 | 2019 | 32 | 58 | 26-22-0 | 1051 | 1698 | 61.9 | 11901 | 71 | 88.2 | 83 | 35 | 97 | 661 | 7.0 | 6.92 | 6.26 | 6.18 | 129 | 390 | 5 | 3.0 | 21 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 10.0 | 15 |
| 2 | Cam Newton | 2011 | 2019 | 123 | 125 | 68-55-1 | 2371 | 3980 | 59.6 | 29041 | 182 | 86.1 | 91 | 108 | 291 | 2199 | 7.3 | 6.99 | 6.28 | 6.00 | 934 | 4806 | 58 | 5.1 | 72 | 1 | 33 | 0 | 33.0 | 27 |
| 3 | Mitchell Trubisky | 2017 | 2019 | 28 | 41 | 23-18-0 | 811 | 1280 | 63.4 | 8554 | 48 | 85.8 | 70 | 29 | 93 | 573 | 6.7 | 6.41 | 5.81 | 5.56 | 157 | 862 | 7 | 5.5 | 46 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
What do you think about Newton and the Chicago Bears?