With the official salary cap number for NFL teams announced, Phil Perry takes on the role of Patriots GM and tells you how he would spend the large amount of cap space New England has heading into the offseason.
Cam Newton didn't have much on-field success in 2020. But he learned a whole lot about the greatest modern dynasty in professional sports.
After signing a one-contract with the Patriots last July, Newton had one of his worst seasons as a pro, averaging just 177 passing yards per game with eight touchdown passes to 10 interceptions as New England sputtered to a 7-9 record.
Newton has admitted that the short offseason had him playing catch-up in the Patriots offense. He also had to adjust to the "Patriot Way," an atmosphere he described succinctly in a guest appearance on the "I Am Athlete" podcast.
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Perry's hypothetical Pats offseason: Building a supporting cast for Jimmy G.
"It's an aura where, bro, you're a machine," Newton told former NFL players Brandon Marshall, Chad Ochocinco and Fred Taylor in the podcast. " ... Bro, I'm waking up at 4:20 just to be out of the house at 4:45. ... You have to compartmentalize your feelings, compartmentalize your personal life, compartmentalize everything to enhance your mental stamina.
"It doesn't matter (that) it's 8 o'clock at night. We have to watch film. We have to get these certain things done. And we all know who I was behind (in Tom Brady)."
So, is Newton grateful to be done with the Patriots and sign elsewhere in free agency? On the contrary.
New England Patriots
When asked if he'd return to New England on another one-year contract, the 31-year-old QB responded, "Yes. Hell yes."
In fact, Newton believes that if given a full offseason of OTAs, minicamp and training camp, he can thrive in the Patriots' system -- unlike in 2020, where a shortened offseason and a midseason bout with COVID-19 halted his progress in learning the offense.
"I'm getting tired of changing, bro," Newton said. "I'm at a point in my career -- I know way more than I knew last year. Now, you give me (a full offseason) -- not even that, a system with me. Like, Doughboy (N'Keal Harry) knows me, Jakobi (Meyers) knows me, Bud (Damiere Byrd) knows me, the young tight ends know me, the younger guys are going to come in.
"We're still here trying to flush out the 20 years of how it used to be, and I'm going in and I'm saying, 'That's not me.' "
Next Pats Podcast: Why the Patriots should NOT be looking for the next Tom Brady | Listen & Subscribe | Watch on YouTube
The Patriots are being aggressive in their QB search this offseason, and Newton is far from their Plan A. But if they need a backup plan, it appears the 10-year veteran is willing to run it back in Foxboro.
"There's always a chance for everything," Newton said when asked if there's a chance he re-signs with the Patriots.
