Cam Newton # 1 celebrates after a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during their game at Bank of America Stadium on November 13, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Grant Halverson | fake pictures
The New England Patriots struck a deal with free agent quarterback Cam Newton, bringing in the 2015 NFL MVP to help the team move from three-time MVP Tom Brady, a knowledgeable person told The Associated Press. of the agreement.
The one-year deal is worth up to $ 7.5 million with incentives, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss it publicly. A Patriots spokesman said the team had nothing to announce on Sunday night. The signature was first reported by ESPN.
“I’m as excited as I don’t know what right now!” Newton posted on Instagram “Praise God! Leaving content tomorrow! Hope you’re ready! Let’sgoPats.”
The Patriots were heading to training camp with Jarrett Stidham, chosen in the 2019 fourth-round draft, as Brady’s apparent heir, who led the team to six Super Bowl championships since 2001, but signed with Tampa Bay this season. low. Stidham appeared in three games last season, completing two passes for 14 yards with an interception.
The only other experienced quarterback on the AFC East defending champion list was Brian Hoyer, 34, who started 38 games in an 11-year career with seven NFL teams, including the Patriots twice.
A three-time Pro Bowl team who was the league’s best player in 2015, Newton remains the NFL’s all-time leader in touchdowns running for a quarterback. He had one year left on a five-year, $ 103.8 million contract, but the Panthers saved $ 19.1 million below the salary cap by releasing him on March 24.
Newton, 31, was the No. 1 pick in the 2011 draft after leading Auburn to a national championship and winning the Heisman Trophy. He helped the Panthers make the playoffs four times, including the Super Bowl in 2015.
The Panthers finished 15-1 that season and Newton earned the league MVP honors after shooting for 3,837 and 35 touchdowns and running for 636 yards and 10 touchdowns. But he was criticized after Carolina’s 24-10 loss to the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl for not jumping on a loose ball late in the game and shortening their post-game press conference.
After missing the postseason in 2016, the Panthers returned after going 11-5 the following year, losing to the New Orleans Saints in the wild card round. More problematic, a shoulder injury severely hampered its launch in 2018; After starting 6-2, the Panthers lost their next seven games.
Newton underwent surgery to repair a broken rotator cuff prior to the 2019 season. But he injured his foot in a brief appearance in the third preseason game against New England; He played just two games last season before being placed on the injured reserve list with a Lis Franc fracture.
Newton has been rehabilitating ever since, posting several training videos on Instagram. But due to the coronavirus, he has not had the opportunity to meet with other teams to demonstrate that he is healthy.
In nine seasons, he completed 2,371 passes for 29,041 yards and 182 touchdowns with 108 interceptions. He has also run for 4,806 yards and 58 scores.
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