A Bill Belichick-Cam Newton marriage would fail: ex-Patriots exec

The New England Patriots have shown no known interest in free agent Cam Newton as a potential replacement for Tom Brady, and at least one former team executive believes he knows why. Scott Pioli, who worked in the Pats’ front office for seven years before becoming GM of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2009, doesn’t …

The New England Patriots have shown no known interest in free agent Cam Newton as a potential replacement for Tom Brady, and at least one former team executive believes he knows why.

Scott Pioli, who worked in the Pats’ front office for seven years before becoming GM of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2009, doesn’t believe Newton’s quarterbacking style would mesh with Bill Belichick’s coaching philosophy.

“The Patriots thing is interesting with Cam Newton because, in my mind, I don’t see those two coexisting together,” Pioli said Saturday on CBS Sports Radio. “The personalities and beliefs of how the game should be played, it seems like oil and water. I just see them as being very different personalities and having very different approaches to the game.

“Bill believes in football more than entertainment. Cam believes football and entertainment are almost equal partners. And in this day and age it is, but Bill has the soul of a football man. I just couldn’t see that working out too well. And if I did, it would probably have to be for one season.”

The 30-year-old Newton, the 2015 NFL MVP, became a free agent after the Carolina Panthers released him following their signing of Teddy Bridgewater to a three-year deal worth $63 million.

The Patriots list second-year signal caller Jarrett Stidham and veteran Brian Hoyer on their depth chart at the position after Brady signed a two-year deal with Tampa Bay last month. Stidham was New England’s fourth-round draft choice one year ago, but he threw only four passes in three appearances in 2019.

“They think well enough of him. I think they are going to give him a shot,” Pioli said. “I also can see them going out and getting another quarterback, whether that’s a decorated veteran or someone in this draft. Their entire quarterback room is not filled yet.

“There’s been quarterbacks that come out of that system and are good enough to win games in the National Football League.”

Indeed, the Pats also drafted Jimmy Garoppolo (San Francisco) and Jacoby Brissett (Indianapolis) before trading both Brady backups in recent years.

“Anyone who is in that program, no matter if you’re a player, coach, it’s always about some greater good than yourself,” Pioli said. “And you need to be selfless and not selfish. If you’re selfish, you’re just not going to make it in the program. That starts up top with the quarterback.”