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Sep 13, 2020; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton (1) looks to pass against the Miami Dolphins during the second half of a game against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 13, 2020; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton (1) looks to pass against the Miami Dolphins during the second half of a game against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
New England Patriots brought in Cam Newton to replace Tom Brady last season. The former 2015 NFL MVP had a decent outing in his debut AFC East season, throwing for 2,657 yards with 8 passing TDs against 10 interceptions. In addition to that, he had 12 rushing TDs as the Patriots finished their 2020 NFL campaign with a 7-9 record.
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Dec 10, 2020; Inglewood, California, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton (middle) looks on from the sidelines with head coach Bill Belichick (right) after being replaced in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Coach Bill Belichick was reportedly on the lookout for a potential Cam Newton replacement this summer. But with not too many viable options available in the free agency market, the Pats were forced to sign Newton to another short-term deal.
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But can the former Carolina Panthers man convince his new employers to offer him a bumper contract in 2022?
ALSO READ- What Next for Cam Newton and the New England Patriots?
What does the future hold for Cam Newton and the Patriots?
The outspoken sports analyst Stephen A. Smith was the latest to comment on the Cam Newton-New England Patriots settlement on the latest segment of ESPN’s First Take.
He said, “I’m not gonna say it was a bad deal for Patriots. I just think it’s a bad situation for Cam because you’re bereft of weapons…. He is a stud athlete, he can do some things real positive for you for the quarterback position and get it done.
“He’s no scrub, and he’s a starter for various teams in the National Football League. I’m not questioning that. What I’m saying is New England is what we’re talking about here.
“And because of the weapons that you’d have surrounding him, what you’re asking of him, I think is too much for him. If it were another quarterback, it would be different.
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 13, 2020; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton (1) runs the ball for a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the third quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
“But when it comes to Cam, I think you’re asking a lot for him because of what you’re surrounding him with. And that’s why I don’t think it’s a good situation for him or the Patriots,” Smith said on the show.
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Cam Newton's contract with the #Patriots has a $5 million base value, according to sources:
$2m signing bonus
$1.5m base salary (guaranteed)
$1.5m total in per-game roster bonusesThe rest ($9m) is in incentives for playoffs, Pro Bowl, All-Pro, MVP, Super Bowl MVP, etc.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 12, 2021
Cam Newton ended his debut season in New England with a 7-8 record. They were reportedly linked with offseason moves involving the likes of Alex Smith, Marcus Mariota, and even Sam Darnold.
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But as things stand, Cam will expect to start for the 6-time Super Bowl champions when the season kicks off in September. Can coach Belichick orchestrate a massive comeback for the Patriots in 2021? Tell us what you think in the comments below.
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