New England Patriots sign Cam Newton to replace Tom Brady, say sources

Cam Newton’s one-year deal is reported to be worth up to US$7.5 million with incentives

The Patriots had been heading to training camp with 2019 fourth-round draft choice Jarrett Stidham as the heir apparent to Tom Brady

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Former Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is in line to sign on with the New England Patriots, according to sources. Photo: AP

Published: 11:34am, 29 Jun 2020Updated: 11:34am, 29 Jun 2020

The New England Patriots have reached an agreement with free-agent quarterback Cam Newton, bringing in the 2015 NFL Most Valuable Player to help the team move on from three-time MVP Tom Brady, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press.

The one-year deal is worth up to US$7.5 million with incentives, the person said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to discuss it publicly. A Patriots spokesman said the team had nothing to announce on Sunday night.

The signing was first reported by ESPN.

The Patriots had been heading to training camp with 2019 fourth-round draft choice Jarrett Stidham as the heir apparent to Brady, who led the team to six Super Bowl championships since 2001 but signed with Tampa Bay this off-season. Stidham appeared in three games last season, completing two passes for 14 yards with one interception.

The only other experienced quarterback on the defending AFC East champions’ roster was 34-year-old Brian Hoyer, who has started 38 games in an 11-year career with seven NFL teams, including the Patriots twice.

A three-time Pro Bowl selection who was the league’s top player in 2015, Newton remains the NFL’s all-time leader in touchdowns rushing by a quarterback. He had one year remaining on a five-year, US$103.8 million contract, but the Panthers saved US$19.1 million under the salary cap by releasing him on March 24.