Former NFL MVP Cam Newton has struck a deal over a year-long incentive-laden deal with the New England Patriots, league sources told ESPN’s Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter.
Newton will now go into the mix to try to help replace former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who left to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in free agency. The Patriots did not select a quarterback in the April draft.
The Carolina Panthers released Newton on March 24, ending their nine-year relationship with the quarterback they recruited at No. 1 overall in 2011.
Carolina moved from her former franchise quarterback after agreeing to a contract with free-agent quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to become the team’s new starter.
Newton, who is continuing rehabilitation from foot surgery, had a physical exam in Atlanta on March 23 that was coordinated by the Panthers and his agency, sources told Schefter.
Newton, who turned 31 in May, passed the physical exam and is healthy with his shoulder and foot “fine,” a source told Schefter. “He is hungrier than ever and eager for the next opportunity.”
He was the NFL MVP in 2015 when he represented 45 total touchdowns in the regular season and led the Panthers to the Super Bowl, a 24-10 loss to Denver. The Panthers have been in the playoffs only once since then, a wildcard loss to the Saints in 2017.
Newton, who holds most of Carolina’s passing records, missed 14 games last season with Lisfranc’s injury and the last two games of the 2018 season with a shoulder injury that also required surgery.
Overall, he has passed for 29,041 yards with 182 touchdowns and 108 interceptions and has run for 4,806 yards and 58 touchdowns.
ESPN’s David Newton contributed to this report.
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