The pairing of head coach Ron Rivera and quarterback Cam Newton brought the Carolina Panthers its first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history. But could this combination work in Washington?
Well, it appears that Rivera, now the coach of the Washington Football Team, wouldn’t mind giving it a try.
Speaking with reports during a recent video call, Rivera said that his team is looking into all options at the quarterback position and that even someone like Newton could be available.
“We’re exploring all of our options. Nothing is off the table,” said Rivera when asked about Newton. “As we go through this, we’re going to do what we believe is best for us.”
Washington has an exciting squad that managed to make it to the playoffs this season, Rivera’s first at the helm. However, the organization is facing a lot of uncertainty at the QB position.
While veteran Alex Smith had a great return to action after recovering from a career-threatening injury, it is unclear whether he is willing to play anymore. The other two QBs on Washington’s roster, Kyle Allen and Taylor Heinicke, are both set to become free agents in March and are not exactly considered starting-level players.
Cam Newton seems like an upgrade compared to the bunch, but his reputation isn’t what it used to be.
After struggling with injuries in recent seasons, he has been relatively healthy in 2020 while playing for the New England Patriots. But Newton failed to accompany this with productivity, struggling mightily in the passing game.
Newton finished the season with only 2,657 passing yards and eight touchdowns while throwing for 10 interceptions. The Pats were 7-8 with him as a starter.
