Why Cam Newton and the Raiders are a perfect fit

It is no secret that Las Vegas Raiders coach Jon Gruden is always looking for an upgrade at quarterback. So why is nobody talking about the Raiders signing former MVP Cam Newton?

It isn’t often that a 32-year-old quarterback just a few years removed from being voted MVP is a free agent with limited suitors, but Cam Newton has found himself in that situation since the Carolina Panthers released him.

Following a 2019 season that saw him start only two games before getting shut down for the season due to a foot injury, many are questioning just how much Newton has left, and if he is even worth signing.

According to oddsmakers, the Chargers are the favorite to land Newton, and that seems to be the consensus between analysts as well. However, the Las Vegas Raiders (5th best odds to sign the QB), are barely being mentioned in the sweepstakes despite being a perfect fit.

Just a few weeks ago, rumors were everywhere that the Raiders were looking at Tom Brady, and who can blame them. Even if he suddenly became a shell of himself on the field, he is still the GOAT and would have made ticket sales skyrocket (just look at the Buccaneers season ticket sales after signing him). The move, and following bump in sales, would have happened just in time for the team’s debut in Las Vegas.

While they may not have landed Brady, and since it seems obvious that Gruden is not all in on Carr, why not take a chance with Cam Newton? Sure, there is risk that he may never regain his true form after the injuries he’s suffered, but what if he does, or at least gets close to it?

Derek Carr is certainly not a bad quarterback, but Cam Newton was the MVP with Ted Ginn Jr. and Jerricho Cotchery as his most productive wide receivers. Carr has yet to reach that level, and at this point, it seems unlikely that he ever will. It is also unlikely that Newton will return to that height, but even if he were to get near that height, it would be an upgrade. The Raiders have some nice pieces on offense, and asking Cam to do less would help him tremendously.

Not only is there the potential for an on-field upgrade, Newton’s playstyle is unquestionably fun to watch, something that would be an attraction for anyone who was in Vegas for a weekend. Sure, he wouldn’t have nearly the same effect on ticket sales that signing Tom Brady would have had, but if he is healthy and starts playing at a high level again, fans will be enamored with the comeback story, and the exciting play on the field.

Additionally, the move would give head coach Jon Gruden a new toy. Cam is physically gifted and would be able to open up the offense in ways Carr simply cannot. Also, if they were to sign Newton and change up the offensive scheme, recently signed Marcus Mariota would be much better suited as a backup in that new system. If Cam were to go down at any point in the season, the transition would be relatively smooth, and smoother than a transition from Carr to Mariota.

Obviously there are factors in this move, mainly Newton’s health, and what his asking price is, but it seems as though the Raiders should heavily consider bringing him in. There is too much upside, both in terms of revenue, and on the field production, to not think about signing Cam Newton.