Cam Newton the Latest with Kirk Cousins Shade
Dustin Baker
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Cam Newton wants to know why not Justin Fields — and why not him?
Cam Newton the Latest with Kirk Cousins Shade
The former league MVP was flummoxed this week by the Atlanta Falcons’ decision to sign Kirk Cousins, who joined the NFC South at an elephantine pricetag of $180 million over the next four years. After six seasons in Minnesota, Cousins finally said sayonara and chased the maximum money available.
Of course, that’s how it goes in sports, but Newton questioned why Justin Fields wasn’t acquired by Atlanta, claiming Cousins’ “quarterback wins” resume was skimpy and that Fields — or himself — might’ve been better options.
“It’s extremely alarming that he has only one playoff win in 12 years. He’s coming off an injury. Why didn’t they get Justin Fields? I can’t make it about me, but if I were to make it about me, it’s like, I’m in Atlanta, but, damn, who is your agent?” Newton opined on the 4th and 1 podcast.
Fields in Atlanta could’ve checked some boxes, though Cousins is wildly more productive, and so far this offseason, Fields’ trade market has whimpered. Many Chicago Bears fans daydreamed for months about a splashy Fields trade when it became apparent his franchise would likely draft Caleb Williams in April. But when the rubber hit the road, virtually nobody wanted Fields as a QB1 solution. His trade value has been reduced to rubble, and Bears fans were wrong the whole time.
On Newton personally for the Falcons QB1 gig, well, that’s absurd. He hasn’t started more than five games in a single season in four years, and the last time he did, Newton managed 8 touchdown passes in 15 starts. The season was 2020, and the Newton experiment on Bill Belichick’s team in New England utterly flopped. He latched onto the Carolina Panthers — again — the following year, and the Panthers promptly lost all five games with Newton at the helm.
It was never realistic for Newton to quarterback the Falcons — or anybody — in 2024, but if he wasn’t kidding, he evidently believes he still has the juice to start in the NFL.
Cousins formally became a Falcon on Wednesday and introduced himself to Atlanta, anxious to win a championship after winning one playoff game for the Vikings in six seasons. We shall see if Atlanta provides the special sauce for Cousins’ coveted Super Bowl run.
The new Falcons quarterback also used the X app to tell Vikings fans goodbye. Cousins said about Minnesotans and Vikings fans, “I’d also just like to say thank you to the people of Minnesota. The people of the Twin Cities. And the people we did life with on a daily basis around our great state of Minnesota. Just want to say thank you. You meant so much to my family. And as a result of your impact, Minnesota will always hold a special place in the hearts of me and my family.”
Newton remains a free agent and hasn’t played in the NFL since 2021. He’ll turn 35 in May.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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