Cam Newton should be next Falcons backup QB

Cam Newton has seen his days as a starting NFL quarterback come to an end.

Like current Atlanta Falcons corner AJ Terrell, Cam Newton starred at Westlake High School just 25 minutes from Mercedes Benz Stadium.

For years Cam directed the NFC South rival Carolina Panthers and while he did not have much success against his hometown Falcons, he did put on an entertaining show. While Cam had hoped to resurrect his career in New England, things have not gone to plan and after being yanked for the second time this season, it’s clear that Cam’s career is over as a starting quarterback.

At some point, every athlete has to face this predicament – do they keep playing despite diminished ability, transition to be a backup, or retire?

If Cam Newton wants to continue his playing career, the choice is obvious – he should end his career as the backup in Atlanta with the Falcons.

Whether Cam wants to admit it or not, the biggest contributing factor to his quick decline in ability as a quarterback is the 10 seasons of hard hits he has taken as a scrambling quarterback. He made a lot of moves out of the pocket and took a lot of huge hits as a result.

It would not be the first time a former division rival joined a team as a backup to finish his career – the first that comes to mind is former Bears starting quarterback Jim McMahon. He led the Bears to the 1985 Super Bowl and then ended his career as a backup to Brett Favre and won a second Super Bowl when Favre led the Packers to the 1995 Super Bowl title.

There would be no quarterback controversy in Atlanta, so put that to rest.

Matt Ryan has always and will always be better than am Newton. Sure, Cam brought a different element to the game, but Ryan is the quarterback and that could not have been more apparent than in 2020.

Cam would be a major upgrade at the backup position and as Matt continues to get older, that is a spot that the Falcons will want a short-term viable option. While Cam Newton is no longer good enough to direct a team for 16 games, he is good enough to start a game or two if needed.

Cam Newton believes that he can still play and he will certainly try and prove that in 2021, but ultimately he will be met with the same closed-door, much like he was before the Patriots gave him a shot.

It would be great to see him end his career in Atlanta, hopefully, the two sides can make it happen.