Cam Newton’s mid-season signing in 2021 bears some similarities to Vinny Testaverde’s return in 2007

Testaverde said that’s how he felt when he got to go back for a second stint with the Jets, and he thinks Newton will embrace this second chapter.

“When I went back to the Jets, I realized I had built all these amazing relationships over the years,” Testaverde said. “And I looked forward to going back in there because of that. When you know these people you work with, not just coaches and players, but everyone in the building, it makes it that much more special. It was a distraction at first because of all the media buildup, but it was exciting to go back in and have the focus be on the football. And then when you talk and listen to the people you’ve met over the years, it’s so much fun, to go back to a place where you’ve had success.”

That sounds a lot like Newton’s own words as well.

And while no one knows how Newton’s second act will play out, Testaverde thinks there’s a good chance for success. Like Newton, he also had a stint with the Patriots, and said he knew more football leaving there after a year working for Bill Belichick.

“It’ll be interesting to see how quickly he can help them win, because they’ve already got a really good defense they can rely on,” Testaverde said. “He’ll be able to do things to help them win, as soon as he gets acclimated. It’s great exposure for any quarterback to go to New England, to learn their system, because it helps you with whatever else you have to learn.

“It’ll be interesting to see how it goes, because I think he’ll find that level of comfort pretty soon, even though things have changed.”