Chicago Bears: Unwrapping latest rumors, questions on Cam Newton
By Ryan Heckman
2. Why Newton wasn’t traded
One of the biggest questions many fans have right now is why Newton was not traded. Let’s be honest, here. When he is completely healthy, Newton is a top-10 quarterback in this league. He has a skillset that is unmatched by anyone else in the NFL. Being able to run the way he does, and also presenting one of the most lethal goal-line presences in football allow his offense to constantly offer trouble to opposing defenses.
Like him or not, Newton is a phenomenal talent if he’s healthy — if he’s healthy.
There is something to be said about why his former coach, Ron Rivera, wasn’t interested in trading for Newton. The Washington Redskins, instead, traded for backup Kyle Allen. Now, they’re looking at rolling with Dwayne Haskins as their starter and having a young, already-experienced Allen backing him up.
It would seem like the obvious move for Rivera to go after Newton via trade, especially when the rumors had him going for only a late-round pick. But, if Rivera didn’t want him, chances are, no team would want to deal for him.
So, he was released. But, still, we ask the question: Why wasn’t he traded? Why didn’t Rivera want him?
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
While Adam Schefter reported Newton had a physical in Atlanta, and all went well, I truly believe there are some underlying hesitancies from NFL head coaches regarding his health. Newton’s foot took a heck of a long time to heal, if he’s finally 100 percent healthy at this stage.
No team wanted to deal a draft pick for a guy who could potentially crumble at the drop of a hat. That’s it. That’s the reason.
Look, I love Cam as a player. I think he’s a tremendous talent, and if you could guarantee a full season of health out of him, I’d be all-in if I was a coach. But, it is blatantly obvious that coaches are still weary when it comes to that aspect.