The Panthers no longer trust Cam Newton to be their starting quarterback, but the Bears can afford to gamble on the former MVP.
The Bears have clearly given up on the idea that Mitchell Trubisky can be the quarterback to lead them to the promised land. That’s why it’s time for Chicago to gamble on the upside of Cam Newton.
Bears officials have already gone so far as to sound out the Panthers about a potential trade for the talented signal caller. It’s possible Carolina will be forced to release Newton instead, but Chicago likes the idea of using a trade to beat out the competition.
Trading a late round draft pick for a quarterback with Newton’s upside could turn into a stroke of genius for Ryan Nagy and his coaching staff. If healthy, Cam could turn into just the catalyst the Bears offense has lacked with Trubisky at the controls.
Admittedly, there’s a significant chance that Newton’s body doesn’t allow him to be that sort of star any longer. That’s what makes acquiring him such a poor fit for most NFL teams. Any franchise that devotes a roster spot to Newton must have another viable option at the quarterback position.
Trubisky is never going to be a star, but he’s given the Bears a reasonable option under center during the last few seasons. He’s perfectly suited to transition to become Chicago’s safety blanket at quarterback. Keeping Trubisky around as Newton’s backup might cause some hurt feelings, but it’s a setup that should make sure the Bears stay competitive no matter what in 2020.
The upside for the team is tremendous. Newton’s ability to run the football with power and speed will open up Nagy’s offensive playbook like never before. The team would be wise not to expose him to a ton of hits, but the mere threat of Newton taking off with the football should open up acres of space for Bears receivers.
The key for Newton will be showing that he’s still capable of throwing the ball with the accuracy and force required to be an effective NFL starter. That’s a question that can only be answered by getting him into training camp and getting him quality reps with the first team. In short, that’s the risk the Bears have to be willing to accept if they swing a deal for Newton.
If the Bears want to become Super Bowl contenders they have to secure a potential upgrade at quarterback. Gambling on Newton is the best way for Chicago to make that happen. Acquiring him doesn’t guarantee success for the team in 2020, but it would drastically raise the ceiling for the franchise.