Report: Newton, Winston Could Be Teamless "For a While"

While NFL quarterbacks Tom Brady and Teddy Bridgewater have found new homes in Tampa Bay and Carolina, respectively, the players they replaced might be looking for new teams for the foreseeable future.

Former Buccaneers QB Jameis Winston and longtime Panthers QB Cam Newton could remain “teamless … for a while,” according to NBC Sports’ Peter King.

A former Pro Bowler, Winston became the first player in NFL history to throw for at least 30 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in the same season last year, but also led the league with 5,109 passing yards.

As those numbers suggest, he’s somewhat of a wildcard and King believes he is probably best suited to be a backup this year with an eye towards competing for a starting job prior to 2021.

King mentions the Steelers as a potential destination for the 26-year-old.

“I do think the Steelers had better spend some serious think time on the number two quarterback,” he wrote. “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.”

As for Newton, who missed all of last season from Week 2 on thanks to a foot injury, health is the biggest concern.

A former MVP, Newton has accumulated a lot of wear and tear during his nine seasons in the NFL and it seems unlikely a team will want to give him a big contract until he can get on the field and show he’s healthy and can still play at an elite level.

If a team does take a shot at Newton, King thinks it will be the Redskins, who now have former Carolina head coach Ron Rivera on the sidelines.

“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. Still, Cam Newton Redskins makes sense.”

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