One of the storylines that has dominated the NFL offseason is the uncertainity over where quarterback Cam Newton would land.
The speculation ended on Sunday night, as the veteran quarterback agreed to a deal with the New England Patriots, which has “been in the works” according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network:
Source: The #Patriots are signing Cam Newton to a 1-year deal. A chance to compete. This has been in the works. A bare minimum deal.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 28, 2020
According to both Rapoport and ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the deal is for the league minimum, but is heavy on the incentives:
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.
Newton now will step into the mix to try to help replace former Patriots’ QB Tom Brady.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 28, 2020
For the #Patriots and Cam Newton, who have quietly worked on this recently, it’s a 1-year deal worth up to $7.5M, source said. https://t.co/YSHLAcRupb
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 29, 2020
Despite losing Tom Brady in free agency, the Patriots passed on signing a quarterback despite being linked with players such as Newton and Jameis Winston. They also decided not to draft a quarterback, passing on potential options such as Justin Herbert, Jordan Love, Jake Fromm and Jalen Hurts. Instead, the plan seemed to be that the franchise would replace a living legend with second-year passer Jarrett Stidham.
But the fit with Newton in New England might be close to ideal schematically. Doug Farrar, in a meaty piece recently on this site, made that very case:
So. A similar overall passing game structure, which could lead to minimal ramp-up time when minimal ramp-up time will be of primary importance as the 2020 season does begin. A coaching staff that was able to create a complementary offense on the fly for a running quarterback. The most schematically curious head coach in the game, who has acknowledged Newton’s greatness. It may not be the most conventional fit, but there are a ton of reasons that a healthy Cam Newton could run New England’s offense right back into the playoffs — albeit with a very different look.
Many have wondered, dating back to a regular season game in 2017 against the Houston Texans, when Deshaun Watson dazzled, when Bill Belichick would get an athletic, mobile quarterback of his own.
Now we finally have an answer.