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What a steal.
Adam Schefter at ESPN has reported that Cam Newton is signing a one-year, incentive-laden deal with the Patriots. Now we have some more details. According to Ian Rapoport at NFL Network, Newton’s new deal is worth a max of $7.5 million.
That’s an obscene value for a franchise that always seems to find a way to stay competitive in an always-evolving NFL landscape.
Many analysts predicted that when Tom Brady signed with the Buccaneers that New England’s run of dominance had come to an end.
While it’s tough to see the Patriots beating out the AFC’s two big heavyweights this year (Chiefs, Ravens), getting Newton at this price has to have the other general managers around the AFC East pulling their hair out.
Newton may not be the same quarterback he was won the won the league MVP award back in 2015. However, he was playing at a high level as recently as the first half of the 2018 season before his throwing shoulder was re-injured against the Steelers.
Any suggestion that Newton won’t be able to beat out Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer for the starting job is laughable. He comes into the division as its most talented quarterback by a mile and his arrival should once again make the Patriots favorites to win the AFC East, which they have done 11 years in a row.
It will be fascinating to see what Bill Belichick and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels can get out of Newton in this second act of his career. Both are far more accomplished than any coach Newton had during his run with the Panthers.
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