Cam Newton next NFL team odds: Cowboys, Colts, Washington, Ravens, Steelers favored to sign released Patriots quarterback

Earlier today, we wrote it was a true stunner that Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots released presumed starting quarterback Cam Newton, the former Heisman Trophy winner, No. 1 overall pick and NFL MVP. Newton will not be on the market long, and SportsLine offers NFL odds on which team will sign him – Newton is going to have to settle for a backup role, however.

The Dallas Cowboys are the favorites to sign Newton as their backup to Dak Prescott, who of course is coming off a major injury that ended his 2020 season, and has inexperienced Cooper Rush as the No. 2 after the team Tuesday released Garrett Gilbert, who started three of Dallas' four preseason games, and Ben DiNucci, a seventh-round pick in 2020. Rush has thrown three passes in his career and none since 2017.

ESPN and other outlets already are reporting that the Cowboys are doing their due diligence on Newton. He would be a perfect fit behind Prescott, who also dealt with a shoulder injury in camp, as they are somewhat similar players and Dallas has Super Bowl aspirations.

The Pittsburgh Steelers would make some sense as an upgraded backup to Ben Roethlisberger over Mason Rudolph or Dwyane Haskins. How likely is it that Big Ben plays all 17 games at age 39 and with all the hits he takes? For what it's worth, though, the Athletic's Steelers writer Ed Bouchette tweeted: "Don't look for the Steelers to have any interest in Cam Newton, as some suggest."

Indianapolis quarterback Carson Wentz has been jinxed in camp, first needing foot surgery and now landing on the COVID list that will not allow him to practice until next week. Wentz has not proven able to stay healthy in his career and his backup is Jacob Eason, who has never thrown a regular-season pass.

In Baltimore, another team with Super Bowl-caliber talent, Newton could slot in behind another former NFL MVP in Lamar Jackson. How about a reunion with former Panthers coach Ron Rivera on the Washington Football Team as Ryan Fitzpatrick insurance?

The New York Jets are going with 2018 fifth-round pick Mike White, who has never thrown a regular-season pass, as the backup to rookie Zach Wilson. One concern, though, is the Jets might not want a big personality like Newton "threatening" Wilson's role.

A lot of outlets are suggesting the Houston Texans, and Newton might actually be able to start there at some point over Tyrod Taylor, but Newton would seem to go against the Texans' rebuild, and they'd probably prefer to get a look at rookie Davis Mills if Taylor falters/gets hurt.

Newton backing up another former No. 1 overall pick and Heisman winner in the Cardinals' Kyler Murray? Or an upgrade on Geno Smith behind Russell Wilson in Seattle? Newton lives in Atlanta and the Falcons have lost backup AJ McCarron to a season-ending injury. Mega-bust Josh Rosen and rookie Feleipe Franks are the other two quarterbacks on the roster.

Philadelphia would have made a lot of sense before trading for Gardner Minshew. There's probably no chance that Newton would return to Carolina.

Via SportsLine oddsmakers: Favorites to sign Cam Newton

• Cowboys +500
• Colts +600
• Washington +700
• Ravens +700
• Steelers +800
• Texans +900
• Jets +1000
• Cardinals +1100
• Seahawks +1200
• Falcons +1300

Which Fantasy Football sleepers, breakouts and busts should you target and fade? And which QB shocks the NFL with a top-five performance? Join SportsLine now to get 2021 Fantasy Football cheat sheets for every single position, all from the model that called Josh Allen's huge season.