Cam Newton is getting a surprising second chance for the Patriots starting quarterback. Newton has extended a one-year, $ 14 million deal in 2020 after struggling with his new team in New England.
The Patriots raised a key to prevent Newton from entering NFL free agency in 2021 after signing the former Panthers QB for a year to a $ 1.1 million contract in June last year.
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Last season, Newton promised as a double threat to Bill Belichick and offensive coordinator Josh MacDunniels, despite brief, unique offenses. But that quickly changed when she landed on the COVID-19 list to begin October.
He finished with almost all types of unstable passing numbers in 15 games: 2,657 yards, eight TDs, 10 INTs, 7.22 yards per attempt, 82.9 passer rating. But in more than nine rushing attempts per game, Newton racked up 592 yards and 12 TDs.
The Patriots adjusted their playing style well. Newton was hurt by an unstable offensive line, limited help in the receiving corps and an attempt to absorb the complex new offense in a short period of time.
Although Newton is making a lot more than it was a year ago, $ 14 million is still a deal in relation to the QB market. Before the 2021 move, the Patriots were close to $ 70 million under the salary cap and allocating about 20 percent of that to bring back Newton is not much.
The Patriots could go after a different free-agent flyer QB, such as Jameis Winston. He saw quite a lot of good stuff from Newton, though, sticking with a familiar option rather than washing his hands for a new one.
New England officials are also unsure of getting the quarterback of their choice with the No. 15 pick in the NFL Draft. Newton gives flexibility to the Patriots should Trey Lance of North Dakota State or Mac Jones of Alabama not be available then. The Patriots may also find a different offensive skills player there and Florida’s Kyle Truss could be considered at number two in the second round.
Newton remains a low-risk, high-reward signer. If he does not meet Bellistic and McDanels’ hopes again, the Patriots could easily move on, either with their banging high-drafted cheater for 2021 or diving into the first rounder in 2022.
Regardless of the Patriots, a contingency plan was required and Newton made the most sense from his point of view. At the same time, he is not committed to a QB that turns 32 years old in May, with a good chance that his ceiling as the 2015 NFL MVP is behind him. The new contract suggests that he is still seen as a bridge QB, not a long-term solution.
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