Former NFL MVP Cam Newton is vaccinated and with the final hurdle that kept him in free agency gone, it might not be long before Newton is back on a 53-man roster.
Released by the New England Patriots on Aug. 31, Newton has remained at home waiting for an NFL opportunity. One of the reasons teams waited to sign him was because of his status as an unvaccinated player, putting him at greater risk for contracting COVID-19 and spreading it to teammates.
But the 32-year-old quarterback recently received the vaccine and NFL teams took notice. Just days after news broke that Newton is vaccinated, he is already talking to one club.
During a radio appearance on Seattle’s 710 ESPN, Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll revealed that the franchise has talked to Newton. While he wouldn’t go into specifics, the franchise is interested in the free-agent quarterback at a crucial time.
- Cam Newton stats (2020): 2,657 passing yards, 82,9 passer rating, 65.8% completion rate, 12 rushing touchdowns
After losing Russell Wilson to a finger injury, which could sideline him until Thanksgiving, Seattle is exploring all options at quarterback. Geno Smith filled in as the starter for Sunday’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, finishing with a 99.6 passer rating.
But with a 2-4 record, the Seahawks are sliding down the NFL standings at an alarming rate. With the New York Jets owning Seattle’s 2022 first-round pick, there is an even greater incentive for the Seahawks to win right now.
Carroll and the front office might want to give Smith another start, but the number of quarterback-needy teams might force them to make a decision quickly. Whether it’s with the Seahawks or another club, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Newton is on an NFL roster soon.