Patriots to re-sign quarterback Cam Newton to one-year deal
The former NFL MVP struggled in his first year with the team but has expressed interest in returning.
The New England Patriots made their first big move of free agency by bolstering their quarterback room with a familiar face.
The team is re-signing quarterback Cam Newton to a one-year deal, as first reported by Jim McBride of the Globe. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the deal will be worth close to $14 million.
Newton will get a second chance to make a good impression after a disappointing season that ended with the Patriots owning the 30th-ranked pass offense in the league.
After a strong start to the 2020 season, the 2015 NFL MVP struggled as the Patriots limped to a 7-9 record in their first season post-Tom Brady, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2008. Though Newton set a new franchise record for most rushing yards in a season for a quarterback (592), he finished with a career-low in passing yards (2,657) and touchdowns (eight) while throwing 10 interceptions.
Still, head coach Bill Belichick reportedly raved about Newton this offseason and said he wished the two “had more time together” after the end of last season. Newton’s time to acclimate to New England’s system was shortened by a truncated training camp due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He then contracted COVID-19 himself last October, forcing him to miss a game and possibly factoring into his dip in performance.
Former Patriots quarterbacks coach Jedd Fisch also has spoken glowingly of Newton’s preparation heading into last year and said returning to New England would be the best situation for the veteran quarterback.
“Cam was phenomenal,” he said in the interview with NFL Network. “You are talking about a guy that came in there and just showed up there in the middle — July 27th or July 28th was the first time we even got to meet — and then be able to start right away, and learning a playbook that he had to learn from scratch with no real experience in our system. He was phenomenal.”
For his part, Newton frequently expressed interest in returning to the Patriots this offseason.
“Yes, hell yes,” Newton said on the “I Am Athlete” podcast in February. “I’m getting tired of changing, bro. I’m getting to a point in my career where I know way more than I knew last year.”
Newton also believed he’d be better a second time around with the Patriots’ receiving corps.
“Doughboy [N’Keal Harry] knows me. Jakobi [Meyers] knows me. Bud [Damiere Byrd] knows me. The young tight ends know me. The younger guys that are going to come in know me,” he said. “Like, we’re still trying to flush out the 20 years of how it used to be. And I’m going in and I’m saying, ‘That’s not me.’ “
I LOVE IT HERE‼️‼️‼️ LFG @CameronNewton https://t.co/sWEnNzK2Ke
— Damien Harris (@DHx34) March 12, 2021
Newton will have that opportunity to bounce back from last season, but the group he’s throwing to could look markedly different this fall.
The Patriots have met with several wide receivers and tight end prospects ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft — New England holds the 15th-overall pick in the first round — and have reportedly dangled Harry in trade discussions.
Also, Schefter remarked Newton’s signing does not preclude the Patriots from drafting a quarterback or making other moves at the position.
But bringing Newton back gives New England’s quarterback room stability and potentially allows the team to focus on other positions heading into the start of free agency next week.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com