Patriots: 3 players most affected by likely canceled preseason

It’s looking increasingly likely that the NFL will cancel the preseason this year.

They’ve certainly waited until the last possible minute, but NFL owners and the players’ association are finally hammering out the details of a return to play blueprint that prioritizes the health and safety of everyone involved amid the global pandemic.

With the start of training camp looming, the league has reportedly made their most notable concession since the start of the negotiation process.

Per ESPN insider Adam Schefter, the NFL offered to cancel all preseason games this year as players push for an extended training camp to help them prepare for full contact. Essentially, they view this as the safest way to prevent injuries and curb the spread of COVID-19 before the start of the regular season.

It goes without saying that no preseason will have a potentially devastating impact on new signings, incoming draftees, and players hanging on to a roster spot by the skin of their teeth.

Let’s highlight a few New England Patriots that this impending reality will most affect.

3. Cam Newton

Cam Newton is losing valuable reps with the preseason likely being canceled.

We get that Cam Newton is a certified superstar, but let’s not be blind to the fact that he will be learning a completely different system for the first time in his NFL career, which started back in 2011. That’s nine years of familiarity with the Panthers’ playbook.

With the 31-year-old joining New England so late in the offseason, he would have benefitted from as many preseason reps as possible. Developing chemistry and working out the kinks of mastering a new system can’t all be accomplished in virtual meetings and practices.

Sure, preseason doesn’t present the most formidable competition in the world, but it would be far more valuable to Newton than anything he’s going to do throughout training camp and the final tune-up for the regular season.

The former MVP will certainly be affected by the cancellation of the annual four-game rehearsal, but doesn’t land higher on this list because he’s a seasoned pro.