The Patriots added Cam Newton in between their virtual offseason and the scheduled start of training camp. Newton’s asking price appears to have moved the needle between the parties.
New England did not express much interest in Newton earlier this offseason, when the franchise explored a deal, but Jeff Howe of The Athletic notes that changed when the former MVP lowered his demands (subscription required). A report even surfaced indicating Patriots OC Josh McDaniels was lukewarm on the passer when he interviewed for the Carolina HC job. But Newton is now New England-bound and primed for his second act.
It is unclear what Newton wanted earlier this offseason, but he was not closely connected to many teams. He ended up signing an incentive-laden deal that will max out at just $7.5MM. He was set to earn more than $19MM in the final year of his previous contract with the Panthers. With Newton’s money not yet on the Pats’ payroll, they hold the least amount of cap space in the NFL at less than $1.5MM. They have not made any plans to accommodate Newton’s deal yet, per Howe. Restructures could well occur in the near future.
Bill Belichick called around on Newton prior to the move, with Albert Breer of SI.com noting that ex-Panthers OC Norv Turner received a call. That prompted Turner to predict a few days ago that Newton would end up in New England.
While Newton not starting in Week 1 would be shocking — should he be healthy at that point — Howe notes the Pats did not guarantee him their QB1 gig. Given the organization’s “do your job” mantra, and Newton’s struggles with injuries over the past three years, that is not surprising. Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer represent Newton’s primary competition, and while Howe adds that Stidham’s work in the virtual offseason did not contribute to the Pats signing Newton, it would be difficult to envision a reality that features a healthy Newton not opening the season as New England’s trigger man. The Pats giving Stidham a cozy path to the job would have pointed to the team being comfortable with a transition year, and Breer adds that Belichick had no intention of “punting on this season.”
Over or Under?
5 starts for the Pats
Push
Worst QB room in the NFL. That said, Stidham is the favorite to win the starting gig.
Newton has been downright awful the past two years, while Hoyer is just a mediocre backup.
Please don’t tell me the Redskins, Jaguars, and Chargers have a superior quarterback room
I’ll never underestimate the Patriots, so I’m not sure if I agree with the original comment. That being said, the Chargers’ QB room is far from being in the running for worst in the league; Tyrod Taylor is a more than capable starter (even if he’s not going to win games on his own), and I’m not sold on Herbert but he was the 6th pick for a reason.
Truly not sure who is the best of Stidham, Hoyer, Cam
Truly not sure if that’s a good thing or not.
If Cam is healthy, Cam is the best by a mile. Stidham has only thrown four NFL passes and Hoyer is atrocious.
“Newton has been downright awful the past two years,”
False. Last year, he was injured and played in two games. If you want to call that ‘awful’, fine. But in 2018, he had a 68% completion percentage, 3400 yards, 24 TDs/13 INT, 94.2 QB rating, and another 500 yards and 4 TDs rushing in only 14 games.
If he’s back to 100%, he’ll be fine and so will the Pats.
Thank you. It seems like people are really writing off Cam. Sure, he’s not the MVP candidate he once was, but he’s a still a starting-caliber quarterback capable of leading a quality team to victory. Paired with the mastermind that is Bill Belichick, he should be perfectly fine. I don’t even like the Patriots and I’m willing to admit that.
I have nothing against Tyrod. I just don’t see how he’s significantly better than Newton. As for Herbert, he’s still raw and eratic under pressure. I would much rather have Cam at this point
2018 Cam was having a probowl season prior to shoulder injury! The man is the offense and damn good Qb … sorry Bills now Pats are back as Division champs again.
If you’re a fan of baseball you know one things true.
Elbow injury, you’ll be fine in a year.
Shoulder injury, goodbye career.
Agreed with jkoms. Nothing against Newton, but his shoulder injury may have ended his franchise ability. He was missing very easy throws (throws he’s made before, like simple ten yard out for example) in his last start against the Bucs. It was hard to watch. I know they blamed the foot, but it seemed like his shoulder to me. I hope he is healthy now, but I have to watch and see if Cam’s shoulder is truly improved. I don’t dispute his effectiveness when healthy, but I am still uncertain as to his physical status now.
If Newton were anybody else this would be a small story.
He’s a long shot.
Likely to be cut.
A has been injury laden player.
So nothing to lose.
Everything to gain.
You just have to get out of your mind that he was an MVP.
It definitely reminds me of when Tebow signed with the Pats.
Tebow was a horrible quarterback who couldn’t even complete 50% of his passes in his only season as an NFL starter, played only three years (only one as a starter), and was out of the NFL before his 26th birthday because his talent was not NFL-level.
Cam is a former league MVP coming off of several injuries.
Just how on earth are you ‘definitely remind[ed]’ of Tim Tebow here?
I meant as someone overhyped who wont make the team.
If Newton’s healthy he’s making the team. I’m not sure what dirt you have against him, but he’s way better than your perception
Pats release newton at the final cutdown!
Or Pats release Newton in a few weeks to cover up another sideline filming scandal headline
Bill gets a $20 million/year quarterback for $7 million. The Patriots way. Well done, Belichick.
The saving of $13 million allows Belichick to invest in some high tech aerial drones to spy more effectively on opponents.
Cam newton with a destroyed shoulder actually just ripped them off.
We all know he was signed (with no physical) to coverup sideline taping scandal
If Cam is healthy enough, he’s the starter. He’s the proven talent.
This whole Stidham thing reminds me of when Matt Flynn had that nice little stretch, and some people started to view him as a starting caliber QB- Seattle included. It’s easy to look good in limited exposure.
I will say though, Flynn was a pretty good backup for Green Bay. He played pretty well when Rodgers went down when he returned. So I’ll give him credit for that.
Acquiring Cam Newton increased TV ad prices by a ton for Patriots televised games. If Cam gets hurt, his contract is practically free to the Pats, as he will not have reached his incentives. If he stays healthy, he improves the team’s win record, for sure, at least in the East.
Newton’s contract is a no lose proposition.