Josh McDaniels Sees This Change In Cam Newton Ahead Of Patriots Year 2

The New England Patriots struggled in 2021. Head coach Bill Belichick finished the season with a losing record for the first time in many years. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels wasn’t really happy with the 7-9 record. The organization took a different approach. They spent a lot of money on free agency, signing players like Henry Hunter and Jonnu Smith. Belichick had a successful draft process. He selected Mac Jones with the 15^th overall. Where about other quarterbacks? Cam Newton signed another deal with the Patriots and he is ready for Year 2 with the team. But, Belichick signed Brian Hoyer too. Jarrett Stidham is under contract with the Patriots and Jones is the new guy.

Newton struggled in his first season with the team. His 2020 season was horrible. He joined the team until early July and didn’t have much time to prepare for the season. This year it’s different. Newton knows the system and yes, he will be working with an excellent group of receivers.

Will the Patriots make the playoffs this time? Of course!

Cam Newton works hard in Year 2

Newton’s mental load won’t be that burdensome. He will take part in offseason workouts and that’s definitely a game-changer.

McDaniels spotted the difference.

“He’s worked really hard, and he worked hard all year last year,” McDaniels said Thursday in a video conference. “He was certainly at a point when he got here that was a unique situation, having really no experience and exposure to our system prior to training camp starting. I honestly can’t remember another time in my career where we’ve had a player that has done that. Even the rookies that get drafted, they get information prior to the end of the spring. 

“So it was a unique scenario. He worked his butt off last year to do it, and then he came back certainly this year at a much different position. He has a different grasp of the offense, a different understanding of the terminology. And now we’re working on refining the precision, the details, and I always talk to the quarterbacks about trying to master the operation and the things we need them to do.

“And there’s always work to be done in that area. I don’t care what quarterback you’re talking about, there’s always work to be done.”

McDaniels will lead a strong offense in 2021. Henry, Smith, Nelson Agholor, and Kendrick Bourne add a nice boost to the offense.

“We’re going to continue to work really hard at it with the days we have left in the spring to refine his (mechanics),” the coach said. “And everybody else at that position as well, because like I said, I don’t think it’s ever a finished product.”