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Another quarterback is officially off the market. Former NFL MVP Cam Newton is joining the New England Patriots. ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke the news on Twitter, saying Newton’s contract is an incentive-laded one-year deal. The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport says it could be worth up to $7.5 million.
Former NFL MVP Cam Newton has reached agreement on a one-year, incentive-laden deal with the New England Patriots, league sources tell @mortreport and me.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 28, 2020
Newton now will step into the mix to try to help replace former Patriots’ QB Tom Brady.
The 31-year-old spent his first nine seasons with the Carolina Panthers, after they selected him No. 1 overall the 2011 NFL Draft. Newton’s best year came in 2015, when he led the Panthers to a 15-1 record, winning NFL MVP. Carolina wound up losing to the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl.
Newton would only lead the Panthers once since then. He missed 14 gamed last season after suffering a fracture in his foot, paving the way for Carolina to move on from the quarterback. Newton hasn’t finished higher than 19th in QBR since his MVP season.
It will be interesting to see how Newton fits in with Bill Belichick. The Patriots had a huge hole to fill at the QB spot after Tom Brady signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in free agency.
Newton will compete for the starting spot with the second-year QB Jarrett Stidham. If Newton does win the job, he will be behind center when the Pats host the San Francisco 49ers in Week 7.
This should be a fun experiment. Newton looked slow, and awkward during his only two starts last season, as injuries started catching up with him. If he’s unable to use his legs to extend plays, and run for gains, his effectiveness comes down tremendously.
There is no doubt Belichick is a great head coach. Let’s not forget he once led a New England team with Matt Cassel at QB to a 11-5 record.
How do you think Newton will do with the Patriots?