Patriots quarterback Cam Newton is on pace for 5 passing touchdowns on the season. This is just one season removed from 20 years of absolute dominance from the greatest of all time.

I like Cam Newton, I really do. His 2015 MVP campaign was one of the more enjoyable to watch in recent history. Multiple injuries have derailed his career, and I’m starting to believe he’s just not fit to be a long term starter anymore. His throwing motion hasn’t been the same since rotator cuff surgery in 2016, and it’s only been worsened after another procedure in early 2019.

Cam currently has 2 touchdowns and 7 interceptions on the season, with a passer rating of 73.2, which slates him 29th in the league. He’s been formidable in the run game, with 6 rushing TDs in 6 games. Unfortunately, a rushing quarterback is not something Bill Belichick is used to.

Also, let me just say that it’s unfair to now assume Tom Brady was what made Belichick great, since he’s having a great season while the Patriots sit at 2-5. It’s a mutual relationship, Belichick is a great coach who made Brady better, and Brady is a great player who made Belichick better. Stating it was all because of Brady makes no sense when Belichick is trying to run a scheme with a quarterback who is vastly different than the talent he had for the last 20 years, on top of having one of the worst QBs in the league at the moment.

In my opinion, Cam isn’t the answer for the Patriots. Let’s look at what their options are at signal-caller.

Stick with Cam

Injuries have decimated him, as previously stated. Foot and shoulder injuries have kept him from having a healthy season since 2015. He hasn’t played in almost a year and is really rusty, so maybe he needs time to figure it out under a new scheme. Cam is a great guy and was a great football player, maybe 6 games is just too small of a sample size to unleash the previously dominant Supercam. 

Start Stidham/Hoyer

Cam still doesn’t seem fully healthy, and maybe the Pats think one of these guys give them a better chance to win some games this season. If they feel that’s the correct direction to go, I would disagree with them. Hoyer just isn’t very good and Stidham has done nothing to impress me. Maybe they know something we don’t, though.

Trade for Dwayne Haskins

Basically ditched by Washington, Haskins’ group reportedly would welcome a trade. Bill Belichick has the ability to mold Haskins into a superstar. He has a ton of potential but has only shown flashes. He could even sit behind Cam and learn a bit, before eventually turning to him. Trading for Haskins should be fairly easy, as it seems like Washington would be willing to take a 4th rounder or later.

Trade for Sam Darnold

Darnold’s talent is destroyed by Adam Gase. I still think the Jets should keep Darnold without drafting Trevor Lawrence, because QB is not the issue of the dumpster fire of Jets Football. Belichick could also put in some work with a talented and skilled quarterback with a very high ceiling.

Stay the course and draft someone mid-first round

Tanking has not and will never be the Belichick way. They can ride out Cam or whichever starter they feel is right for the rest of the season and try to snag Trey Lance, seeing that TLaw and Justin Fields will likely go top 5. Lance is a nice prospect with a lot of upside, following the same path Carson Wentz did at NDSU just a few years ago. 

Draft someone in the middle/late rounds of the draft

Kyle Trask will be available in the 2021 draft, along with Jamie Newman, Sam Ehlinger, and Kellen Mond. 2021 has a pretty weak QB class, but we could see guys like Zach Wilson and Mac Jones declare early, but I feel that’s unlikely. The Patriots could also go with an average guy like Ian Book or KJ Costello and try to make a project out of them.

Make a Godfather deal to trade up

Finally but unlikely, New England could go all in and throw a massive trade at the Jets, Jaguars, or Giants to try and snag Lawrence or Fields and get their franchise guy. This would take a massive deal to convince any of these teams, especially considering how late the Patriots have their first rounder. They are currently at odds to have the 12th overall pick, which may not be enough to convince the earlier teams unless they feel confident in keeping guys like Daniel Jones or Gardner Minshew.