The big news of the NFL has become the signing of Cam Newton by the New England Patriots. Newton was a free agent without a home for some time, but the Patriots offered him a one-year deal worth up to $7.5 million.
Newton was with Carolina for nine years after they selected him No. 1 overall in the 2011 NFL Draft. He will be competing with Jarrett Stidham and veteran Brian Hoyer for the starting role with the Patriots. If Newton is anything like he has been in the past, he will end up with the starting job.
How will he fit with Bill Belichick? That’s just one of several big questions that Patriots fans have. Another worry moving forward is Newton’s ability to stay healthy.
“The chances of a healthy — or at least much healthier — version of Newton showing up for the Patriots this season are much better than some would suggest,” wrote ESPN’s Bill Barnwell. “The idea that he hasn’t been a valuable quarterback since his 2015 MVP campaign is a product of selective memory.”
Going back to the first eight games of the 2018 season, Newton was completing 67% of his passes along with 15 touchdowns. He only had four picks and a passer rating of 100.8
Newton had a couple of great years in Carolina and has even had some great moments in his off years. However, Belichick runs a program that not all players will mesh into.
But many think the odds are good that Newton will have success in New England. The 31-year-old quarterback might just find a home in the Patriots system.
Odds Shift
This move sure has shaken up the odds at many sportsbooks, one of which is the Comeback Player of the Year. On April 30, his odds to win the award were at +1000. After signing with the Patriots, that jumped to +450.
He is now third in odds right behind Ben Roethlisberger and Rob Gronkowski, who are both at +350.
This signing for the Patriots also improved their odds to win the Super Bowl. They were at +2200 at several sportsbooks before signing Newton. Since then, they have jumped to as high as +1700.
Here are the latest lines from DraftKings sportsbook:
- Kansas City Chiefs: +600
- Baltimore Ravens: +650
- San Francisco 49ers: +1000
- New Orleans Saints: +1200
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: +1300
- Dallas Cowboys: +1700
- New England Patriots: +1700
- Philadelphia Eagles: +2000
Patriots fans everywhere are still hurting to see that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are higher than they are, but improvement is something.
Bovada has their chances improving for the division and playoffs as well.
To win the AFC:
- Before +1200
- Now +700
To win the AFC East:
- Before +150
- Now +110
To make the playoffs:
- Before -160
- Now -230
All eyes shifted to Tampa Bay for a short period of time, but there will still be a show in New England. If things work out well and Newton stays healthy, maybe the Patriots are right back in it.
