Cam Newton is not worth $100 million contract extension

Let’s take a look at Newton’s struggles with a few plays below, captured on All-22 film courtesy of NFL.com.

At the bottom of the screen, Kelvin Benjamin is ready to run a crossing pattern against man-to-man coverage. In the slot, Jason Avant is running a dig route and will end up on the numbers of the 30-yard line. This is a perfect call against man coverage, allowing Benjamin to use his speed and size, while Avant can utilize his crisp route-running.

In the blue circle, you can see Benjamin has clear separation from his man. At the top of the screen in the red circle, Avant is making his break. Newton should be able to complete a throw to either without any problem, but the ball has to be out now. Instead, check out Newton. The ball is in his hand without the throwing motion started.

The result is Carolina being forced to punt, as Newton throws high and wide of Avant. The New Orleans Saints’ corner had time to recognize the route and close on the ball because Newton threw it far too late. Also, note how close Avant and Benjamin now are. This is because Newton’s timing was off drastically.

Here’s another example of how misreading the defense can cost you:

Carolina decides to run Brenton Bersin (bottom of the screen) across the middle, which draws double coverage. Tight end Greg Olson is split to the left and will also draw two defenders off the snap. With the first down marker at the 39-yard line, Newton also needs to keep tabs on running back De’Angelo Williams, who is going to slide out of the backfield and into the right flat.

The double coverage is clear. Olson is blanketed in the black circle while Bersin is guarded closely in the red circle. However, look at Williams and the space he has ahead of him. Williams has swung his head around and could easily pick up the first down and more. Instead, Newton fails to read the defense and never sees him.

It’s impossible to see here, but Newton throws this ball with horrid form despite a clean pocket. He doesn’t step through the throw, letting his upper body do all the work. The pass ends up behind Bersin, who somehow gets open due to the worst double coverage in the history of football. Unfortunately, Bersin can’t corral the pass, which ends up becoming an interception. If Newton makes the correct read and uses good fundamentals, this is a first down in field goal range.

Next: Where does Newton go from here?