Former Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was named the NFL MVP in 2015, but eight years later it’s pretty clear he disagrees with the 49ers’ Brock Purdy and Cowboys’ Dak Prescott being 2023 MVP favorites.
Newton, only 34, has not been in the league since his failed “I’m baaaack” return to start for the Panthers in 2021. He’s not even gotten any Joe Flacco-like calls to suit up for any team as a backup despite all the injury attrition at QB the past two seasons.
Since not showing the Patriots in 2020 he could be a better option than first-round rookie Mac Jones (now benched for Bailey Zappe), Newton has kept himself busy by ripping into the most top-flight starting passers this season, calling both Purdy and Prescott “game managers” right along with the Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa and the Lions’ Jared Goff.
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Even though Newton has made some lame comments before, including thinking there’s no way a female reporter would know anything about route-running, his still polarizing presence riled up many more NFL fans with his ice-cold take.
What are your thoughts on Cam Newtonโs take of #49ers Brock Purdy being a game-manager? ๐ค
via @4thand1 || #FTTB pic.twitter.com/E5Q3dOOSDs
โ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ง๐จ (@TheSFNiners) December 12, 2023
First, let’s start with what Newton got dead wrong about Purdy: “They’re (the 49ers) are not winning because of him, He’s managing the game.”
Second, let’s consider how he lumped in Tagovailoa, Goff and Prescott into the mix: “They’re game managers. They’re not difference-makers. … listen (unnecessary profanity), I don’t give a damn what you do. You don’t have to score every time. You just don’t have to throw a pick every time, either.
“If we’re really going to call a spade a spade, a game manager is different from a game-changer.”
Oh boy. Way to piss off two prominent NFL fan bases of the two best teams in the NFC (calling a spade a spade, Newton’s Panthers are the worst team in the NFC). Also why come crashing down on the most excitement Dolphins and Lions fans have had in years in aqua and Honolulu blue? That’s just not nice.
Sure, Purdy plays in a loaded offense with Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle as his primary offensive skill support, with elite left tackle Trent Williams, too. But here’s to former 49ers MVP QBs Joe Montana and Steve Young, who had some stars around them too, including GOAT wide receiver Jerry Rice.
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Purdy, going into Week 15’s game at the Cardinals, per Pro Football Reference, leads the NFL in completion percentage (70.2), TD percentage (7.0), yards per attempt (9.9), adjusted yards per attempt (10.4), yards per completion (14.4), passer rating (116.9), QBR (74.7), net yards gained per pass attempt (8.85), adjusted net yards gained per pass attempt (9.93).
Going back to ’15, the only passing category in which Newton finished first was TD percentage (7.1). He had a great season but it was very touchdown- and rushing-based while he completed less than 60 percent of his passes and didn’t get to a century in efficiency.
Purdy’s MVP credentials are more in line with the incredible season Matt Ryan had passing for the Falcons in 2016, winning MVP while also operating in Kyle Shanahan’s offense. Ryan also led the league in all the rating, attempt and completion categories.
Now let’s get to Prescott. His overall numbers aren’t far behind Purdy in most of those above categories. He also leads the league with 28 TD passes. Consider Newton threw for 35 in ’15 along with his 10 rushing scores. Prescott is on pace for 36.
Tagovailoa leads the NFL with 3,697 passing yards as the key facilitator for Tyreek Hill in Miami. Goff, even with recent struggles, has still been sharp for a breakout 9-4 team in Detroit. Sure, Tagovailoa and Goff have faded from MVP consideration, but they are still among the best QBs this season.
“Game manager” is a convenient, ambiguous way of saying “non MVP-like”. Newton put former MVPs Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes highest on his list, despite the former having a roller-coaster season and the latter having his worst (still pretty good) season.
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No one can be certain what Newton’s definition of a game manager is, except quarterbacks who don’t screw up and cause their teams to lose. But wait, isn’t that also a game-changer and difference-maker, because the bottom line in the NFL, is doing what it takes as a QB to make sure your team wins games?
Take away Newton’s elite running skills and he was a below-average passer and barely winning QB in Carolina and New England over his career. He did make a lot of “Superman” plays, sure, but he also made plenty of mistakes that cost his teams.
Newton sounded a bit sour grape-y that he’s not in the league over guys such as Purdy and Prescott given he heaped MVP-like praise only on two former MVPs. Let’s hope when he’s still not passing in the NFL in 2024, he finds something better to pass the time than be a Grinch toward game-changing, difference-making passers.