Peter King: Cam Newton, Jameis Winston May Remain Teamless 'For a While'
March 23, 2020
Tom Brady, Philip Rivers, Nick Foles and Teddy Bridgewater are among the quarterbacks who have found new homes this offseason, but Jameis Winston and Cam Newton reportedly may not be joining the list in the near future.
According to NBC Sports' Peter King, Newton and Winston could remain "teamless … for a while."
Winston threw 30 interceptions last season and has thrown at least 14 picks in four of five years. Of course, he also led the league with 5,109 passing yards to go with 33 touchdowns last year.
The Florida State product is just 26, and King suggested he "is a great gamble to take as a 2020 backup and a prospective 2021 challenger for a job."
He pointed to Winston's "good deep arm" and that "teammates love him," adding: "I do think the Steelers had better spend some serious think time on the number two quarterback. With no one certain whether [Ben] Roethlisberger will start 16 games or six, the Steelers don't want to get caught shorthanded this year, as they were last year."
King also called the Jacksonville Jaguars a team that "seems to make sense" for Winston and listed the New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys as options where he could be a backup.
As for Newton, health is the biggest concern.
He turns 31 in May and played just two games in 2019. He also underwent surgery on his foot and has taken a number of hits throughout his career as someone who utilizes his legs to hurt opposing defenses.
Still, he's a 2015 MVP and a three-time Pro Bowl selection who has made a Super Bowl appearance.
"No one knows what to expect from the rehabbed Newton, who last was effective 17 months ago," King wrote. "My guess: Washington with Ron Rivera, but that would make for a weird quarterback room. Newton would want to play, and if he does, that roadblocks Dwayne Haskins."
The former No. 1 picks come with question marks, and they'll both be looking to bounce back in 2020.