Cam Newton, like many NFL players, hasn’t been too vocal when discussing his vaccination status. He hasn’t confirmed or denied getting the COVID-19 vaccine, but after a COVID-related “misunderstanding,” it’s fair to assume he’s unvaccinated. In what some would consider a crucial week of training camp practices for Cam Newton, he won’t be taking any snaps, leaving the door open for Mac Jones. Due to the NFL’s COVID-19 protocols, Cam Newton will spend the next five days in the Patriots virtual facility.
In a crucial week of training camp practices, Cam Newton will not be on the field for the New England Patriots.
— Boston.com (@BostonDotCom) August 23, 2021
After he was not seen at Monday’s practice, the team announced that he would miss the next five days due to the NFL’s COVID-19 protocols. https://t.co/1MaUGBtIWv
Cam’s not the only person who will spend time away from his respective team, however. Multiple Cowboys players were placed on the COVID-reserve list after DC Dan Quinn and DT Carlos Watkins went into COVID protocols on Saturday. While I understand a person’s hesitancy to get the COVID-19 vaccine, Cam Newton, of all people, should know how COVID-19 can ravage your body.
After Cam himself basically said Covid killed his 2020 season, taking that risk again with his NFL career effectively hanging in the balance. Bold strategy https://t.co/cDd5Q379Y6
— Brad Spielberger (@PFF_Brad) August 23, 2021
The battle between Cam Newton and Mac Jones has been closer than what most people thought it would be. Both have shown flashes in the preseason, and Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has yet to name a starter. However, with Cam missing a week of practice and Jones’s steady play, Bill Belichick could have every excuse to name Jones the starter. If Belichick elects to do so, this could spell the end of Cam Newton’s time as a starter.
What the 2021 Season Means For Cam
From a statistical standpoint, 2020 was not one of Cam’s better seasons. He started 15 games, went 7-8, and threw just eight touchdown passes to ten interceptions. Being the rushing threat that he is, he also ran for 600 yards and 12 rushing touchdowns. Now, with new weapons, no more opt-outs, and an off-season with the team, this was Cam’s chance at redemption. It still might be, but if Cam remains unvaccinated, COVID-19 could ruin more than just his season.
The NFL is beginning to hit a saturation point where even the backup quarterbacks are good enough to win games. Teams like the Raiders have Marcus Mariota to backup Derek Carr, while the 49ers don’t feel pressure to start Trey Lance because of Jimmy Garoppolo. In fact, you could argue that the only teams that don’t have a solid plan at quarterback are the Broncos and maybe the Steelers. Although, Dwayne Haskins appears to have learned from his mistakes and may even succeed Ben Roethlisberger after this season. Meaning there might not be many teams clamoring for a Cam Newton, especially if this year is similar to last.
The best-case scenario for Cam is that he wins the starting job, plays all 17 games/avoids getting benched due to performance issues, and looks like the Cam Newton of old. But, if he doesn’t even make it to week one as the starter, the days of QB1 Cam Newton will surely be over.
In the End, it’s Cam’s Choice
Due to Cam Newton’s celebrity status, there might not be many teams that want a vocal backup quarterback. Especially one who, based on last season, appears to be one-dimensional and declining. Hopefully, missing this week won’t cost Cam the starting job. However, to ensure that COVID-19 doesn’t ruin anything else, he should simply get vaccinated. Heaven forbid that he somehow causes an outbreak on his team that costs them a game, and he, his career.
If Cam chooses to move forward unvaccinated, it’s his choice. But if he somehow contracts COVID-19 or the delta variant and it hurts his play again, he’ll have no one to blame but himself.
