The New England Patriots seemed resigned to a quarterback competition between journeyman Brian Hoyer and 2019 fourth-round pick Jarrett Stidham. That changed on Sunday evening.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reported the Patriots have signed veteran quarterback Cam Newton to a one-year deal.
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
Newton will likely head to training camp as the favorite to win the starting job, though the Pats will also be hoping for a clean bill of health.
Schefter also reported the deal is “incentive-laden.”
The Patriots were one of the teams thought to be in the mix to sign Newton after the Carolina Panthers cut him. But salary-cap inflexibility made it seem somewhat unlikely they would be able to finalize a contract with the former league MVP.
Newton's health issues also seemed to loom large. The 31-year-old had shoulder surgery at the end of the 2018 season, and a Lisfranc injury ended his 2019 campaign after just two games.
Still, this would seem to be a winning move for the Pats as they transition from the Tom Brady era.
Aside from experience and past production, Newton also offers more in terms of his mobility in and outside of the pocket. The Panthers hoped to limit his rushing attempts in the last few years, though he still managed nearly 500 rushing yards during the 2018 season in addition to completing nearly 68 percent of his pass attempts.
The Patriots figure to administer their own physical prior to completing the signing, much like the Atlanta Falcons did with running back Todd Gurley. But Newton has been working tirelessly all offseason to prove he is healthy and ready to go and should come to camp as hungry and motivated as ever.
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