Free agent quarterback Cam Newton is now fully vaccinated against COVID-19. He has made it clear he wants to play. His recent vaccination status change has Newton’s name surfacing at the top of quarterbacks available for teams in need of a signal caller.
Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll recently admitted the team had talks with Newton. However, one team that remains uninterested in the former Carolina Panthers and New England Patriots QB is the Washington Football Team, according to NFL insider Josina Anderson.
Washington being steadfast against signing Newton is peculiar, considering Newton’s history with Washington’s head coach Ron Rivera. Newton played nine seasons under River in Carolina. The two reached Super Bowl 50 together, Newton’s MVP season in 2015..
Injuries and subpar play on the field have hampered Newton the last two seasons. That included his one year in New England last season. The Patriots released Newton during final cuts in August, anointing rookie Mac Jones the starting QB
Washington is content with sticking with their three quarterbacks currently on the roster. Taylor Heinicke has started the last five games since Ryan Fitzpatrick suffered a hip injury in Week 1. Both Heinicke and Kyle Allen are familiar with offensive coordinator Scott Turner’s system, going back to their time with the Panthers.
However, Heinicke’s physical limitations have been evident in the last two games, back-to-back losses. Allen is coming off a serious ankle injury that hampered him in training camp. There is no timetable for Fitzpatrick’s return.
Thus, the idea of signing Newton appeared feasible. But, it remains obvious Rivera and his staff are not interested in bringing him to Washington.
