Mike Lombardi continues to link Cam Newton to the New England Patriots
Mike Lombardi continues to link veteran free agent quarterback Cam Newton to the New England Patriots, whom he believes should be interested in Newton.
Former executive for the New England Patriots and veteran NFL analyst Mike Lombardi — who is still very much connected with the team — will not rule out the Patriots signing veteran free agent quarterback Cam Newton.
The Patriots seem to be content with their quarterback situation heading into the offseason with Jarrett Stidham, Brian Hoyer, Jmar Smith, and Brian Lewerke. But at the same time, they don’t really have any other choice.
As it was alluded to by Lombardi and Christian Fauria on WEEI, the Patriots are essentially just settling with Stidham and their quarterback situation because they don’t have the money or cap space necessary to bring in a higher-tier free agent to the position this offseason.
En route to create more cap space, the Patriots are going to have to either give offensive lineman Joe Thuney — who counts $15 million against the cap with his franchise tag — a contract extension, or they’ll have to part ways with one of the best offensive guards in the NFL.
With that being said, NFL insider Adam Schefter also said on WEEI that he does not believe that the Pats are interested in moving on from Thuney this season.
On Thursday, Lombardi was on WEEI’s Ordway, Merloni, & Fauria’s afternoon drive when he addressed his recent comments of linking Cam Newton to the Patriots:
"“If you just understand Coach Belichick … he loves to play the market like Warren Buffett does, ‘I am going to buy low and sell high.’ This is a blue-chip, MVP player who is out there at a position that there is a degree of uncertainty. I am not saying they don’t like Jarrett Stidham because I know they like Jarrett Stidham, and I like Jarrett Stidham. I think there’s a lot of people that have affection for him.”“But, you’re talking about a team that has always, always, and this has been Belichick’s mantra forever, is always looking for ways to improve the team, not necessarily on draft day, but 365 days a year. Until they can get a medical, until they can get an understanding of where he is, I don’t think you can rule him out.”"
In the same interview, Lombardi also said that he believes the Patriots want a valued veteran quarterback, but he never saw New England as a potential landing spot for Andy Dalton.
Next. Disconnect there between Phillip Dorsett and Patriots. dark
Lombardi has grown a reputation for himself where if he talks … you listen. That reputation also allows him to obtain inside information.
So, if he believes that the New England Patriots are in fact interested in Cam Newton … chances are, he’s right.