Cam Newton Returns To Patriots On One-Year Deal
Photo credit: Kathryn Riley/Getty Images. Pictured: Cam Newton
Last offseason, Cam Newton was one of the last quarterbacks off the board. This year, he's one of the first.
The Patriots are bringing Newton back on a one-year, $14-million deal according to multiple reports. The decision was surprising for a few reasons, but it apparently won't stop New England from seeking out other options.
ESPN reported bringing Newton in now will not "preclude them from making another QB move in the weeks to come."
The Patriots finished 7-9 in Newton's first year with the team and the first without Tom Brady under Bill Belichick. Newton completed 65.8% of his passes, averaging 218 yards per game in the air. He threw for 8 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, but ran for another 12 touchdowns and 592 yards.
It would've been a tough ask for any quarterback to succeed when the only receivers on the team who played in at least 14 games were Jakobi Meyers, Damiere Byrd and N'Keal Harry. Julian Edelman played in just six games, catching 21 balls.
New England is second in available cap space only to the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason, so more improvements should be on the way. That can include quarterback competition for Newton. Marcus Mariota is one rumored name with just about every QB-needy team. New England could also target a rookie in the first round.
Either way, the decision to sign with New England last year for $1.75 million clearly paid off for Newton. He'll lead the current depth chart ahead of Jarrett Stidham and Jake Dolegala until another move is made.
But with a $14-million contract, New England seems to have made its intentions pretty clear.
The Patriots were listed at 40-1 to win the Super Bowl at FanDuel.
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