Cam Newton had a great run as a NFL quarterback.
For a while, the former Carolina Panthers’ star and Heisman Trophy winner was viewed as one of the most dynamic quarterbacks of his generation.
After inking a five-year, $103.8 million contract extension ahead of the 2015 campaign, Newton led the Panthers to the Super Bowl and was named NFL MVP. He finished that season with 3,387 yards, 35 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions while adding another 132 carries for 636 yards and 10 touchdowns as a runner.
Cam Newton surpassed 3,000 passing yards in eight-consecutive seasons including his rookie campaign in 2011, where he posted 4,011 yards through the air.
Newton has deserved the right to be a respected voice regarding today’s NFL landscape, but in a recent podcast, he made some wild claims about a few of the top quarterbacks in the league right now.
Cam Newton Calls Brock Purdy, Dak Prescott & Tua Tagovailoa “Game Managers”
As it stands, 49ers QB Brock Purdy and Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott are the front runners for NFL Offensive MVP.
Prescott ranks fourth in the NFL in passing yards (3,505), first in touchdowns (28), has just six interceptions and has the second-best QBR of 74.6.
Purdy ranks third in the league in passing yards (3,553), is tied for second in touchdowns (25), has just seven interceptions and leads the NFL with a QBR of 74.7.
What are your thoughts on Cam Newton’s take of #49ers Brock Purdy being a game-manager? 🤔
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— 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙎𝙁𝙉𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨 (@TheSFNiners) December 12, 2023
When breaking down the best quarterbacks in the current in the NFL on a recent podcast, Newton alludes to Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson as difference makers.
Then, he takes a shot at Brock Purdy, Dak Prescott, Tua Tagovailoa and Jared Goff.
“But Brock, they aren’t winning because of him,” Newton said. “He’s managing the game. And if we were to put that in it’s own right as game managers, Brock Purdy, Tua Tagovailoa and Jared Goff. And really, Dak Prescott, these are game managers, they’re not difference makers. Listen, 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 are really going to call a spade a spade, a game manager is different than a game changer.”
Cam Newton Take Is Insane
When looking at the current numbers of the quarterbacks in question compared to the rest of the NFL, Newton’s take is absolutely insane.
Prescott and Purdy’s stats have already been covered, but Tua Tagovailoa currently ranks first in the league in passing yards (3,697), is tied for fourth in touchdown passes (24) and has 10 interceptions on the season.
Even Goff, who has fit the “game manager” title at other points during his career is putting up numbers that directly contradict that label.
He’s thrown for 3,449 yards (6th in the NFL) , 21 touchdowns (8th) and 10 interceptions.
Plain and simple, none of these playoff contenders would be in the same position they are currently in without their franchise quarterbacks. All four have proven to be difference makers,
According to CBS Sports’ NFL quarterback rankings, Purdy currently holds the top spot with Prescott at No, 3, Tagovailoa at No. 6 and Goff at No. 9. Yes, Mahomes and Jackson are also in the top 10 but two of the quarterbacks Cam Newton took a shot at are ahead of both, with one holding down the top spot in all of the NFL.