The New England Patriots sign quarterback Cam Newton to a one-year, incentive-driven deal that makes the AFC East more interesting.
Bill Belichick yet again signs an offensive player he’s had trouble defending in the past.
On Sunday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen reported the latest New England Patriots signing. Cam Newton is the team’s newest quarterback who should be in line to compete against Jarret Stidham this summer.
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
The deal is for one-year and is heavily incentivized, meaning the Pats got Newton on an excellent value.
Newton, 31, has played all nine of his NFL seasons with the Carolina Panthers. Drafted No. 1 overall out of Auburn in 2011, Newton reached the highest of highs in 2015 when he led his team to a 15-1 mark and a Super Bowl appearance (loss to Peyton Manning‘s Denver Broncos).
Newton was named the league MVP for his efforts that year.
He’s been unable to make a single Pro Bowl since that season and missed all but two games a year ago due to injury. The Panthers have since turned to former Jet Teddy Bridgewater and Newton has lingered on the open market.
Now, Newton joins a Pats team wondering what life will be like after Tom Brady.
NBC’s Albert Breer recently posted Newton’s career stats against Belichick.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick has often signed offensive players who he had trouble defending, and Cam Newton is actually another example of one.
Newton is 2-0 against the Patriots, and 41-for-57 for 525 yards, 6 TDs and just 1 INT in those games.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) June 29, 2020
In just two contests (out of conference matchups happen just once every four years), Newton has dominated Belichick-led defenses. He’s 2-0 with 525 yards and six touchdowns to just one interception on 41 of 57 passing. With the Buffalo Bills receiving most of the AFC East love this offseason, the New York Jets can continue hanging back quietly as media pundits start to fall over themselves over this move.
It should be an interesting year in the AFC East (assuming the season starts and moves along without issue).
