The Laws Of Motion Could Have Cam Newton Landing With The LA Chargers

Is there a fig of truth about the Los Angeles Chargers recruiting quarterback Cam Newton?

Chargers insiders say it’s unlikely, then again, that was before a recent video of Newton, who was released by the Carolina Panthers, was shown training with L.A. quarterback Tyrod Taylor.

Chargers general manager Tom Telesco and coach Anthony Lynn have stressed that they are fine entering the season with the veteran Taylor under center. He would replace Philip Rivers, the team’s starter for 14 seasons before leaving to join the Indianapolis Colts.

Newton, a nine-year pro, is intriguing. The former NFL MVP and Heisman Trophy winner certainly has the credentials after leading the Panthers to Super Bowl 50.

But the three-time Pro Bowler played in but two games last year with a foot injury. Would the Chargers roll the dice on him without getting their hands on his feet?

Maybe that’s where Taylor comes in. Possibly he’s giving Newton the eye test during conditioning drills, gleaning insight on a free agent whose interactions with the Chargers are restricted with the NFL closing team offices because of the coronavirus.

The speculation is that the Chargers will draft a quarterback at sixth overall, picking from a group that could include Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa, Oregon’s Justin Herbert and Utah State’s Jordan Love. The rookie would then serve as an apprentice under Taylor and seize the starting role when appropriate.

Or might the Chargers go with Newton, 30, who is hardly ancient. Although Newton has had medical issues, battling not only a foot ailment but undergoing two right (throwing) shoulder surgeries.

The Chargers will have about $24.5 million in cap space, according to spotrac.com, if they want to pursue Newton after he made $121.3 million during his stint with the Panthers.

It’s believe Newton would seek a deal paying about $20-25 million per year, if using what Rivers and Tom Brady (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) signed for as a rough comparison.

The Chargers have dedicated just 4.07 percent, or $8.24 million, of their salary cap to the quarterback position, when including backup Easton Stick. That ranks 26th in the league, but strangely, is the second-highest percentage in the AFC West division which includes the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.

K.C. spends even less than the Chargers at $8.23 million, which burns 3.73 percent of their cap and is No. 27. That’s with four quarterbacks and one of them being NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes.

But that ranking will inflate wildly when Mahomes, as expected, signs a contract extension before the season starts.

The Denver Broncos come in at No. 30 on how much they earmark on their quarterbacks, in relation to the salary cap. Their outlay for the pair on their roster is $4 million, a partly 1.88 percent.

The Las Vegas Raiders, after making a big splash by acquiring free-agent Marcus Mariota with Derek Carr already on board, are clearly the most generous in the division when it comes to compensating quarterbacks.

Las Vegas doles out $32.27 million to the position, which consumes 14.67 percent of the cap. Only two other NFL clubs have a higher percentage.

If the Chargers seek to lift themselves from the AFC West cellar, maybe an upgrade at quarterback over Taylor is the answer.

While Jameis Winston is another veteran, and younger, option over Newton, the ex-Panther is the more accomplished player.

What the Chargers really sought this offseason was securing Brady to give the franchise a boost on and off the field. Now they are calling an audible and just maybe that leads them to Newton.