Atlanta Falcons and Cam Newton aren’t a good match

The Atlanta Falcons backup quarterback situation has become increasingly confusing throughout pre-season and roster cuts. Atlanta opted to keep both Feleipe Franks and Josh Rosen on their final roster. Rosen was a late addition to take snaps in the final pre-season game.

Franks was underwhelming throughout all three games with his lone highlights showing off his scrambling abilities. With Cam Newton now on the market and the Falcons having a very iffy backup plan at best, could Newton fit in Atlanta?

With Cam sitting in free agency there will be plenty of teams considering if the former Panthers and Patriots starter could improve their depth. It seems Cam is willing to take a backup or utility role and certainly would offer the Atlanta offense a wrinkle.

Would Cam Newton fit in on the Atlanta Falcons roster?

There are very few teams in the league who wouldn’t like to have Cam Newton as a short-yardage weapon behind their starting quarterback. Despite his age, Newton’s ability to get that one-yard or take the ball into the endzone is still elite.

Despite this and Atlanta’s need at the position Cam simply isn’t a fit in Atlanta. As tantalizing as it may be to have Cam on your roster to get the ball into the endzone or convert in short-yardage situations the potential issues outweigh the positives of the potential impactful addition.

The biggest issue is the obvious fact that Newton has opted not to get vaccinated. To pretend this doesn’t weigh in on a team’s decision whether or not to sign or keep a player is naive. Despite what the Patriots might say Cam having to miss time for COVID has afforded Mac Jones the opportunity to take Cam’s job.

While Cam’s talent still demands consideration the Falcons aren’t a fit for the simple reason they were very proud to be the first team to be fully vaccinated. This affords them a lot more roster flexibility and more of a return to normalcy.  While players who have refused the vaccine face much stricter quarantine and COVID guidlines.

This isn’t to judge Cam’s decision only to point out from an unbiased viewpoint it seems unlikely the Falcons will sign Cam when they factor his decision in.

Cam Newton can still contribute to a team at a high level whether or not he is starting. But that team shouldn’t be the Atlanta Falcons. It wouldn’t be the right fit for either side despite the Falcons’ need at the position.