AFC East HC doubts Cam starts Week 1, says Pats 'love' Stidham

Cam Newton is not guaranteed the starting QB job. Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

AFC East HC doubts Cam Newton starts Week 1, says Pats 'love' Jarrett Stidham

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 7/1/20

The New England Patriots signing Cam Newton was shocking, especially considering many believed they weren't originally interested in the former MVP.

New England has been high on second-year quarterback Jarrett Stidham since Tom Brady left the organization for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and one AFC East coach believes the young QB will be Brady's heir come Week 1.

I spoke over text w/ an AFC East Head Coach on Cam Newton and the Patriots. “I think they are going to keep 3 QBs. Use Cam Newton perhaps as the wild card. I actually don't see him starting Week 1 in the offense...I know one thing for a fact: the #Patriots love Jarrett Stidham"
— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) July 1, 2020

The former Carolina Panthers signal-caller will be joining Stidham, Brian Hoyer, J'Mar Smith and Brian Lewerke on the Patriots' quarterback depth chart. So, it's become quite clear that there will be a quarterback competition once training camp opens up next month.

Newton, who was released by the Panthers in March, certainly would love to become New England's starter in the post-Brady era, but he wasn't guaranteed the position, according to The Athletic's Jeff Howe.

The 31-year-old played just two games last season after suffering a foot injury and wasn't great during the 2018 campaign, so it remains to be seen whether or not he has enough gas left in the tank.

If Newton beats out Stidham, it won't be that surprising — especially because he's made 124 career starts, has a Super Bowl appearance and was the league's MVP in 2015.

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