I am not going to sit here and pretend that re-signing Cam Newton was a smart move and that I trust Bill Belichick. In fact, I am going to take the opposing view and say that re-signing Newton is a bad move. I don’t think I need elaborate on that point. We all saw clear as day last season why bringing Newton back is a bad move.

What I will say however is that the Patriots may not have had a choice. I know Patriot fans believed that trading for Deshaun Watson, Jimmy Garoppolo or signing a free agent would have been the most logical thing to do but it is not.

It would have taken a lot of picks and players to acquire Watson so he was never a realistic option. Garoppolo, whom many Patriots fans were clamoring for has a no trade clause in his contract and is owed $50 million over the next two years. Who is to say he would have waived his no trade clause to come back here. Especially knowing that he would have had to restructure his deal. The Patriots were probably going to have to give up a day two pick and a player. If that is the case, Belichick passed.

Belichick could have also pursued free agents Jameis Winston or even Jacoby Brissett but he clearly doesn’t think that highly of Winston and he knows what Brissett is. The Patriots drafted and developed him.

Some have speculated that the Patriots re-signed Newton prior to the start of free agency so that he could attract free agents to New England. Maybe, but unless a free agent receiver or tight end is tight with him or has played with him, they are not coming to New England to play with him. Newton is a shell of the player he once was. Especially as a passer.

Re-signing Newton does not the Patriots are done addressing the quarterback position. I could still see the Patriots drafting a quarterback on day two. However, at this point I would be shocked if they traded up to take one of the top four quarterbacks or drafted Mac Jones in the first round.

I understand Patriots fans frustration. I really do. However, when you peel the layers back, you will see that there were not that many viable veteran options out there. Newton may not have been the best available but he makes the most sense for the team right now.

Long term, the Patriots starting quarterback is not in the building. The position still needs to be addressed. It will be interesting to see if Belichick continues to address the position this off-season.