49ers free agency: 5 surprise players Niners may add in 2021

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New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton (1) Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 1: Cam Newton signs with the 49ers?

There’s actually an argument for this. And in all reality, it would be quite a surprise if the Niners elected to sign veteran quarterback Cam Newton this offseason.

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Newton, who’ll turn 32 years old before the regular season begins, isn’t quite the player he once was back during his league-MVP year back in 2015, and injuries have also played a significant role in his apparent decline.

Yet Newton signed a bargain-basement deal with the New England Patriots last year worth just $1.75 million. With the Pats not likely looking to bring him back, it seems more than probable Newton remains a cheap better-than-average commodity on the open market.

A few things would have to happen for San Francisco to consider this, though.

For starters, signing Newton would be an indication the 49ers aren’t entirely committed to their current starter, Jimmy Garoppolo, and bringing aboard a player of Newton’s ilk would at least serve to push Jimmy G and would allow a better backup option than what the Niners had last year, C.J. Beathard and Nick Mullens.

It would probably mean San Francisco passes on adding a quarterback in the NFL Draft, which is plausible, yet it does fill a need to guard against the ever-present injury concerns Garoppolo has after the last three seasons.

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Again, it doesn’t seem likely. But it sure would be a surprise.