Once again this offseason, the NFL was rocked with news centering around the New England Patriots quarterback room. This time, it’s an addition rather than a subtraction.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Patriots have reached an agreement with former Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton. The deal is reportedly a one-year deal with plenty of incentives. The Patriots are in search of their replacement for Tom Brady and prior to Newton’s signing, Jarrett Stidham was the front-runner for the job.
Stidham, a 2019 fourth-round pick, will likely battle Newton for the starting job, along with veteran Brian Hoyer. Depending on Newton’s health, he would be the front-runner for the job. But that’s a big question mark for Newton since that’s the leading reason he was cut by the Panthers in March when they were unable to find a trade partner for him.
The 31-year-old has a shoulder issue dating back to 2016 and suffered foot injuries over the past two seasons.
Back in 2017, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick discussed Newton and raved about how difficult Newton can make life for a defense.
“I think when you’re talking about mobile quarterbacks — guys that are tough to handle, can throw, run, make good decisions … — I would put him at the top of the list,” Belichick said of Newton in 2017 during a press conference. “I would say of all the guys we played recently in the last couple of years, I think he’s the hardest guy to (defend). He makes good decisions, can run. He’s strong. He’s hard to tackle. He can do a lot of different things. He can beat you in a lot of different ways. We saw that in the game in 2013. I would put him at the top of the list. I’m not saying the other guys aren’t a problem, because they are. But he’s maybe public enemy No. 1.”
Newton was the former No. 1 overall pick at the 2011 NFL Draft and earned MVP honors in 2015. That year, Newton led the Panthers to the Super Bowl.
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