Patz news: Cam Newton signs, & they lose a pick for filming

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29380463/qb-cam-newton-reaches-1-year-deal-patriots-sources-say

QB Cam Newton reaches 1-year deal with Patriots, sources say
ESPN
8:04 PM

Former NFL MVP Cam Newton has reached an agreement on a one-year, incentive-laden deal with the New England Patriots, league sources told ESPN’s Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter. ‬

‪Newton now will step into the mix to try to help replace Tom Brady, who left to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in free agency. The other quarterbacks on the Patriots’ roster are Jarrett Stidham, Brian Hoyer, J’Mar Smith and Brian Lewerke. New England did not select a QB in April’s draft..

The Carolina Panthers released Newton, the No. 1 overall selection in 2011, on March 24, ending their nine-year relationship.

Carolina moved on from its one-time franchise quarterback after agreeing to a contract with free agent Teddy Bridgewater to become the team’s new starter.

Newton, who continues to rehab from foot surgery, had a physical in Atlanta on March 23 that was coordinated by the Panthers and his agency, sources told Schefter.

Newton, who turned 31 in May, passed the physical and is healthy, with both his shoulder and foot “checking out well,” a source told Schefter. “He is hungrier than ever and eager for the next opportunity.”

He was the NFL MVP in 2015 when he accounted for 45 total touchdowns in the regular season and led the Panthers to the Super Bowl, a 24-10 loss to the Denver Broncos. The Panthers have been to the playoffs only once since then, a wild-card loss to the Saints in 2017.

Newton, who holds most of Carolina’s career passing records, missed 14 games last season with a Lisfranc injury and the final two games of the 2018 season with a shoulder injury that also required surgery.

Overall, he has passed for 29,041 yards with 182 touchdowns and 108 interceptions and has rushed for 4,806 yards and 58 touchdowns.

Caesars Sportsbook moved the Patriots from 25-1 to 20-1 to win the Super Bowl with the addition of Cam Newton, and from 10-1 to 9-1 to win the AFC.

ESPN’s David Newton contributed to this report.