Patriots' Cam Newton Says Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes Is 'Changing the Game'

Cam Newton will go head-to-head with Patrick Mahomes on Sunday when the New England Patriots take on the Kansas City Chiefs, but Newton can't help but admire the younger quarterback. 

"Man, he's changing the game," Newton said of Mahomes on Thursday, per Mike Reiss of ESPN. "I think he's shining light on the new wave of quarterbacks. It's just fun to watch."

Mahomes is only in his third season as a starting quarterback but already has an MVP award and a Super Bowl MVP. As Newton explained, it's not just physical prowess that helps him succeed: 

"It's not like he's just back there and it's an arcade game. Sometimes it looks like it, but he knows exactly what he's doing and how he's manipulating the defense. That's the same thing that the Dan Marinos used to do. Obviously the Tom Bradys. The Aaron Rodgers. Those guys really have so much command of the offense that you dictate to the defense. That's what he's doing. He's playing the game at a high level."

The Chiefs star is off to another strong start to the 2020 season, totaling nine passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown in three games with zero interceptions. He was responsible for five scores in the surprisingly one-sided win over the Baltimore Ravens last Monday.

He leads all players in total QBR and makes it look so easy at times:

Newton, who has quite a resume himself with an MVP and one Super Bowl appearance, has clearly taken notice of the young thrower.

Meanwhile, Mahomes also appreciates what Newton has done this season while leading the Patriots to a 2-1 record in his first season with the team.

"He's in a great spot now and he's playing really good football," Mahomes said.

Newton has 714 passing yards and two touchdowns through three games, adding 149 rushing yards and a league-best four scores on the ground. After a pair of injury-filled seasons, the 31-year-old has looked like his old self while helping to maintain New England's status as a top contender in the AFC.

The two styles will clash Sunday in what could be an important matchup with seeding implications.