Report: Patriots re-signing Cam Newton to new deal
Cam Newton will not be a one-and-done quarterback for the New England Patriots, as the team will reportedly re-sign the veteran to a one-year contract, according to The Boston Globe’s Jim McBride.
The deal will be worth close to $14 million, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
New England’s starter for 15 games last year, Newton totaled just eight passing touchdowns and 2,657 yards through the air as the man under center for the Pats (both numbers were career-worst marks), while his 65.8 completion percentage was actually the second-best of his NFL career (his 67.9 in 2018 remains his best). And while his passing numbers were down, Newton did significant damage in the ground game, with 592 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns, which stood as his most in a single season since rushing for 14 touchdowns as a rookie in 2011.
Newton, whose lone absence in 2020 came by way of a bout with COVID, went 7-8 as the Patriots’ starter, and recently made a ‘hell yes’ pitch to return for another round with the Patriots in 2021.
“Now you give me [a full offseason], and not even that, but a system with me… you know what I’m saying?” the 31-year-old Newton said on the ‘I AM ATHLETE’ podcast last month. “Like, [the Patriots] know me. [N’Keal Harry] knows me, Jakobi [Meyers] knows me, [Damiere Byrd] knows me. The young tight ends know me, the younger guys that’s coming in [will know me]. We’re still trying to flush out the 20 years of how it used to be.”
This gives Newton that second chance with a system and roster that’s more familiar to him, and gives the Patriots at least three quarterbacks signed for 2021, with Newton joining Jarrett Stidham and Jake Dolegala.
Brian Hoyer, the team’s third quarterback last year, is set to become a free agent.
And with Cam officially back, now comes finding some weapons. Here are some options with free agency approaching…
