Why Nick Wright Believes Patriots Are Wrong To Not Pursue Cam Newton

The Patriots reportedly aren’t interested in Cam Newton and, according to Nick Wright, that’s a mistake.

Multiple reports have indicated New England, in the wake of Tom Brady’s departure, will not pursue Newton in free agency nor a trade for Andy Dalton. Instead, the Patriots apparently will let Jarrett Stidham, a 2019 fourth-round pick, and Brian Hoyer, a career backup, compete for the starting job next season.

Is that a recipe for disaster? Wright believes so.

“I understand Pats fans might say, ‘Once upon a time a sixth-round pick, who didn’t play, came in in Year 2 and turned into Tom Brady,'” Wright said during Thursday’s “First Things First” episode on FOX Sports 1. “That is a true story. It is also close to a fairy tale story because it never happens, other than the one time it did.

“…You simply don’t find franchise guys in the late rounds of the draft. …Jarrett Stidham is a backup quarterback who might be forced to become a starting quarterback.”

Of course, Wright probably shouldn’t be trusted as a quarterback analyst.

After all, we’re talking about a guy who believes Brady could be the worst quarterback in the NFC South next season.

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About the Author

Dakota Randall

Plymouth State/Boston University product from Wolfeboro, NH, who now is based in Rhode Island. Have worked at NESN since 2016, covering the Patriots since 2021. Might chat your ear off about Disney World, Halo 2, and Lord of the Rings.