New England Patriots Depth Chart
- AFC East
- Stadium
- Gillette Stadium
- Head Coach
- Bill Belichick
- Offensive Coordinator
- Josh McDaniels
- Defensive Coordinator
- Steve Belichick & Jerod Mayo
- Special Teams Coach
- Cameron Achord
- Defensive Scheme
- 4-3
New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton is wasting no time getting to know his new teammates. Newton is reportedly already working out with his new wide receiver Mohamed Sanu Sr. this offseason. Both players missed time last season due to injuries, but are ready to bounce back in 2020. Newton offers MVP-caliber upside while Sanu will be key to the Pats receiving corps. Staying on the field and remaining healthy is going to be the key for both players this upcoming season. It's nice to them getting reps together before training camp so they can develop some chemistry. Sanu should be the No. 2 receiver behind Julian Edelman, which means there should be plenty of upside for him next season.
New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton could very well surprise us all during the 2020 season, according to former Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera. "Don't bet against him," Rivera said. "I really wouldn't." Rivera and Newton have been together since Newton entered the league in 2011. Everyone knows Newton has been sidelined by injuries the last few seasons, but Rivera does believe anyone should count him out just yet. "I mean, he's probably about as healthy as it gets from what I've seen on video. I think he's ready to bust out," says Rivera. The former Panthers coach won't be alongside Newton this time as he has taken over as the head coach of the Washington Redskins. However, Rivera believes Newton can recreate himself in New England. It remains to be seen what will happen with Newton in New England, but if healthy Newton could end up having success in 2020.
The New England Patriots made a splash on Sunday when they signed quarterback Cam Newton, a former MVP, to a one-year, incentive-laden $7.5 million deal. He'll join a depth chart that includes second-year QB Jarrett Stidham, veteran journeyman Brian Hoyer and undrafted rookies J'Mar Smith and Brian Lewerke. Newton wasn't guaranteed the starting job when he signed, according to a source, so he's expected to compete with Stidham and Hoyer in training camp. But the 2015 MVP has the most star power and could easily win the job over Stidham if his shoulder and foot are healthy. The former No. 1 overall pick has tailed off in recent seasons because of injuries, though, and Stidham has just four career pass attempts. The Patriots like Stidham, but Newton should be the favorite if he's healthy. There are a lot of questions surrounding Newton's health, which will make him a QB2 with some upside if he wins the job.
According to a Tweet by ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Cleveland Browns spoke with quarterback Cam Newton earlier in the offseason. Newton went on to sign with the New England Patriots on Sunday. According to Schefter, the Browns spoke with Newton at one time, but those talks "never really went anywhere." The Patriots wound up being the only team to actually offer Newton a contract, which ended up being an incentive-laden, one-year deal. While Newton is now a Patriot, it is interesting that the Browns were interested in his services considering they have 2018 No. 1 pick Baker Mayfield on the roster and Case Keenum as his backup.
The NFL handed down penalties on Sunday for the New England Patriots after an investigation of the filming of the Bengals sideline last season. The Patriots will be fined $1.1 million and will lose a third-round draft pick next year. Their production crews will not be allowed to film games for the upcoming season. On the same day, the Patriots signed former MVP Cam Newton to help them replace Tom Brady. They are the third team in NFL history to lose a former MVP and add another in the same offseason -- they are the first to do it with quarterbacks. The latest Patriots scandal will further tarnish head coach Bill Belichick's reputation as a cheater, regardless of how brilliant a football mind he actually has.