Final 12 months wasn’t essentially the most prolific season of Cam Newton’s profession. The previous league MVP joined the New England Patriots late within the offseason throughout a time the place the pandemic had fully halted any exercises and erased the preseason totally, thus eliminating any kind of time for him to get his toes moist in Josh McDaniels’ advanced offense. Whereas he was capable of flash some potential and win the beginning job, the outcomes have been largely blended for Newton — significantly along with his consistency throwing the soccer — and the Patriots completed underneath .500 at 7-9. 

Quick ahead to the current second, nonetheless, and Newton — who re-signed with the membership on a one-year deal — has a way more conventional offseason in entrance of him. Not solely does he now have a summer time of preparation, however Newton additionally has a full season of expertise to lean on as he enters his second season in Foxborough. Invoice Belichick has already highlighted that Newton is lightyears forward of the place he was a 12 months in the past, however the quarterback remains to be pushing to totally grasp this offense.   

“I will be the primary particular person to inform you that there are issues that I do not know but,” Newton advised reporters Tuesday. “That is why OTAs are necessary, that is why minicamp is necessary, that is why coaching camp is necessary. … Now we have numerous new additions. I am nonetheless studying identical to each different quarterback is, I’d count on and assume and we’re simply all making an attempt to get higher.” 

Whereas addressing his struggles in 2020, Newton added that he has a word on his telephone that reads “Pre-snap consolation will assist post-snap outcomes,” which means that the extra data and familiarity that he has inside the Patriots system, the higher outcomes he’ll have on the sphere.  

After all, this offseason is a bit totally different for Newton for a very totally different purpose past the playbook. With the No. 15 general decide on the 2021 NFL Draft, New England chosen Alabama quarterback Mac Jones, who’s now checked out because the long-term fixture on the place. When requested if Jones’ arrival modified his motivation heading into the offseason program, nonetheless, not solely did Newton dismiss that concept but in addition gave the choice a stamp of approval.  

“It did not make me really feel any kind of manner as a result of he was the proper decide for my part,” he stated. “He was the most effective participant accessible and that is what the NFL Draft is for. So far as having any chip on the shoulder, I imply, you are stating the apparent. I do not want an excessive amount of to get myself going not to mention that taking place and it is no disrespect to Mac, it is no disrespect to Invoice and his determination. I assist it 110% since you nonetheless must do what’s proper for the group for the lengthy haul.” 

Newton stated that Jones — or “Mac & Cheese” as he is dubbed him — is a quiet child that’s nonetheless making an attempt to determine his manner by way of his rookie season however has been impressed along with his management and his skill to carry himself accountable this early within the course of. That stated, whereas Newton might take pleasure in Jones and the remainder of the quarterback room that additionally consists of Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer, he is aware of that every certainly one of them is vying for the beginning job, which will likely be received over these subsequent few months. 

“As a competitor, I might be a idiot if I did not assume Brian Hoyer desires to be a starter,” Newton stated. “I might be a idiot to not assume that [Mac Jones] did not wish to be a starter. I might be a idiot if Jarrett Stidham did not wish to be a starter. And you would be a idiot to assume that I do not wish to be a starter. However these issues occur with the consolation of understanding this method. … Everyone knows nothing goes to be given to no one. It is simply that competitors every day with your self goes to deliver out the most effective in everybody else. 

“The higher that I’m, the higher Mac will likely be. The higher Mac is, the higher he’ll make me be. The higher Stiddy is, and the checklist goes on, particularly with Hoyer. After all, he is the one that units the tone for that room. He is been right here the longest. He has a lot [knowledge] and a fantastic really feel and all of us be taught from one another so the higher off everyone seems to be in that room, the higher off we’ll all be.”