The New England Patriots are bringing Cam Newton back on a one-year contract, but the team could still handle the quarterback position in a free agency or the NFL Draft while they plan. for the long haul
By Cameron Hogwood
Last updated: 12/03/21 3:31 f
Cam Newton returns to New England (AP Photo / Elise Amendola)
Cam Newton returns with the New England Patriots.
Jim McBride of the Boston Globe announced Friday that the 2015 league MVP is re-signing with the Patriots on a one-year deal, after being beaten to beat the free agency this offseason. Ton Pelissero at the NFL Network confirmed the news after that.
Newton was released by the Carolina Panthers in March last year and did not sign a new team until July, when the Patriots acquired him on a one-year, $ 1.75m contract.
He went on to throw for 2,657 passing yards with a 65.8 finishing percentage for eight touchdowns and 10 intercepts, while also bouncing for 592 yards and 12 scores.
0:43 Wide receiver Jakobi Meyers throws a 19-yard pass to quarterback Cam Newton in this brilliant play against the Jets on the final day of the regular season
The 31-year-old season was dealt a major blow when he lost one game behind testing positive for COVID-19, something he later admitted played a part in a difficult finish to the year.
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is said to have enjoyed his time working with Newton, and the feeling was clearly mutual.
“I think Bill Belichick is the most misunderstood man in all sports,” Newton said recently on the podcast ‘I Am Athlete’.
“He’s a cool dude who understands the game. He’s like the historian of the game. And for you to just sit down and chat with him, he’s like ‘Damn!’ He goes back and has a movie, literally teaching the game. “
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Newton entered last season behind the 2019 campaign in which he played just two games due to the break-up of Lisfranc, who, along with leaving Carolina, naturally raised doubts about the time to his arrival as an NFL starter.
Despite delivering reminiscences of his restless experience, the three-time Pro Bowler struggled to convince him with the ball in his hands.
Nonetheless, the lack of preparation time for offensive Newton and Patriots coordinator Josh McDaniels to coalesce during a COVID-haunted summer has fueled hopes of making the old a player better equipped to succeed with a full offseason program behind him in 2021.
His return does not simultaneously rule the Patriots dealing with the situation in a free agency or NFL Draft next month, with Trey Lance at North Dakota State and Mac Jones at Alabama approaching as possible options with the 15th overall selection.