Patriots: Drew Bledsoe believes Cam Newton could rebound in 2021

While Cam Newton may be listed as the starting quarterback for the New England Patriots as the 2021 season kicks off, the impressive play of first-round pick Mac Jones in their preseason opener against the Washington Football Team has some wondering when No. 10 will be inserted into the starting lineup.

Despite how well Jones played in his debut, and despite the fact Newton is coming off of a year with more interceptions than touchdown passes, No. 1 is still QB1 in Foxborough.

Trying to let Newton work his way back into New England’s good graces isn’t such a crazy strategy, according to a former Belichick signal-caller.

Former Patriots quarterback and longtime NFL veteran Drew Bledsoe, who knows a thing or two about being replaced as a veteran by the hotshot young player, thinks that the Patriots shouldn’t be so quick to make the switch, espousing patience when it comes to Newton.

On “The Zach Gelb Show,” Bledsoe claimed that he would like to see Newton as the starter in a more normal 2021 season.

With a full offseason of work, new additions at wide receiver and tight end, and the pressure of being the first post-Tom Brady starting quarterback lifted, Bledsoe thinks Cam can succeed.

“I would really like to see Cam get a full year,” Bledsoe said. “Last year, the cupboard was kind of empty up there…There wasn’t a lot in terms of weapons for him. They went out and got some weapons, and I think it’d be great to see Cam get back out there and show why he was an NFL MVP.”

Drew Bledsoe thinks that the Patriots should start Cam Newton.

New England broke kayfabe and decided to spend an inordinate amount of cash in free agency, as players like Jonnu Smith, Hunter Henry, and Nelson Agholor were all added to the roster with the goal of giving Newton some extra support after a poor 2020 campaign.

While Jones looked cool and composed, there is a difference between going against basic backup defenses in the preseason and live bullets coming at him in the regular season. Belichick isn’t crazy for wanted to bring Jones along slowly, and part of that plan entails giving Newton a shot to lead the team to wins this year.

Belichick has usually made rookies earn their stripes before throwing them right into the spotlight, and he certainly isn’t going to upend that philosophy for the first Round 1 quarterback he has ever tutored. Throwing an aging Newton out there may be better than an inexperienced Jones, according to Bledsoe.

Newton is smart enough to know that Jones is eventually coming for his spot. The best thing for all parties, according to Bledsoe, is to go with Cam in 2021 and let him see if he can bring New England back to the postseason. Doing so could help Newton earn a nice contract elsewhere in 2022.

Patriots: Predicting biggest names left off 53-man roster

The Patriots will have to trim their roster to 53 players by Aug. 31, so here are the biggest names who won't end up making the cut.