Justin Fields is like any other young quarterback. At some point in time, his love of the game was sparked by something. Or more likely somebody in the NFL or college football. He had that moment where he realized, “I want to do that.” So who was that guy for Fields? It shouldn’t be considered a big surprise that it was Cam Newton. The timing of it certainly lines up.
As Fields was rising in high school, Newton was reaching his peak with the Carolina Panthers during the mid-2010s. In the same period, he won league MVP and got his team to a Super Bowl. Newton was a superstar but more importantly a beacon of light for young black athletes who also wanted to be quarterbacks in the NFL. Sure enough, once Fields prepared to attend college, he connected with Newton during a 7-on-7 football camp. The pro gave him all sorts of valuable tips. Ones the rookie still values to this day as he told Forbes Magazine.
“Cam has had a huge impact on me as a person and player. I’m lucky to have had a role model like him from such a young age to be able to look up to.”
If one watches Fields in college? The connections are easy to make.
How he played from the fearless running style to his particular throwing motion. All of them seemed to mirror Newton. That is why so many evaluators compared the two going into the draft. What’s even crazier is that Fields might actually be more athletic and a more natural passer. He is certainly faster than Newton. Data shows he was also far more accurate throwing the football during his college career.
So while he may still idolize Newton in many ways, it is right about here where the comparisons will stop. Fields will endeavor to chart his own path in the NFL. Still, it is pretty cool to see how much he still appreciates what the former Pro Bowler did for him. A reminder of why it can prove so valuable for pro players to give back to youth football.
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Justin Fields has branched out in terms of QBs he tries to mirror
One he mentioned after being drafted was Russell Wilson. That makes sense. Another athletic quarterback who is so dangerous with his legs. What may set him apart though is Wilson managed to bridge the gap to become a truly great pocket passer. Something he demonstrated again last season with over 40 touchdown passes. Newton, for all his brilliance over the years, never really made that transition.
Justin Fields isn’t foolish. He knows relying on his mobility won’t make him a great quarterback. At least not forever. If he wants to ascend into the upper echelon of the NFL, he has to learn how to play from the pocket. Tom Brady? Aaron Rodgers? Dak Prescott? Wilson? Patrick Mahomes? All made their big bucks in the NFL once they grasped the intricacies of reading a defense and distributing the football from the pocket. At that point, their mobility became less of a crutch and more of a special weapon they could use only when necessary.
This is where Fields is trying to get.
He has plenty of help. Matt Nagy and his coaching staff are loaded with QB specialists. They know everything required to reach that goal. If Fields listens to them and grasps what they’re teaching? Everything will fall into place.
