Patriots: Robert Kraft’s comments prove Cam Newton was always getting second chance
Some New England Patriots fans were torn on Cam Newton’s return, especially with how the 2020 season ended.
But perhaps nobody paid enough attention to what happened before the former MVP tested positive for COVID-19. Through the first three games, the team was 2-1 (with that loss coming in the final seconds to the Seattle Seahawks) and Newton was 62-of-91 with 714 yards, two passing touchdowns. four rushing touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Then he was away from the team for about two weeks and the result was … not ideal. Add that in with Newton signing with the team in July as well as a shortened offseason due to the pandemic, and the odds were stacked against him from Day 1.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft fully believes that, too, and his comments prove the team was always going to give Newton a second chance.
Robert Kraft: I really do believe Cam getting COVID, and what it did to the team, it changed a lot. Now we'll get a chance to see.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) March 31, 2021
As a fan, you have every right to be frustrated with subpar play, but you also have to consider the factors that derailed the Patriots season. Newton was learning an entirely new system with little time to practice, develop relationships with his teammates, and with few weapons around him.
The Patriots led the league in players opting out due to the pandemic and they experienced a mass exodus in free agency. Kraft made sure to touch upon that, which likely spurred the team’s activity this offseason.
Robert Kraft: "In fairness to Cam, I'm not sure he had the proper weapons around him last year."
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) March 31, 2021
Kraft added it's still early in the offseason and there are other means, including the draft, to add a QB.
Some might call that shade, but others might call it candor. The Patriots, aside from a stout rushing attack, had almost nothing else to lean on. The offensive line was constantly undergoing shifts due to departures and injuries; the wide receiving corps took a hit after Julian Edelman went down, and N’Keal Harry once again failed to take a step forward in his development; there was no starting tight end, unless you consider Ryan Izzo one; and there wasn’t any depth to support the offense whatsoever.
And this was a year in which Newton was coming off shoulder surgery, having only played two games in 2019. Come on, guys. We’re not making excuses for anyone, but that simply just wasn’t a fair shake for the veteran.
But the 2021 season will be. Kraft made it clear that the circumstances surrounding 2020 didn’t change the organization’s opinion on Newton, and now he’ll be tasked with getting the Pats back to the playoffs after their worst season in 20 years.
