Report: Despite Meeting At Combine, Panthers & Cam Newton Did Not Discuss A New Contract

Update:

David Newton of ESPN reports that although the Panthers met with QB Cam Newton‘s representatives  at the Combine this past weekend, his contract didn’t come up in conversation.

Newton writes that neither the Panthers nor Newton are in a hurry to work out an agreement on a long-term contract at this point in time.

This fits with previous reports that have said there are no incentives for either party to get something done now when the quarterback market could change, and Carolina has other options available to them.

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Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer reports that the Panthers are scheduled to meet with the representatives for QB Cam Newton at the Combine on Saturday.

Carolina are continuing to work on a long-term extension for Newton, but Person mentions that he may not be in a rush to sign a new contract.

Person points to the fact that Russell Wilson and Andrew Luck are both in line for record-breaking deals as the main reason why Newton would want to give it some time before hammering out an agreement.

As long as the Panthers are willing to meet Newton’s contract expectations, Person’s source said that he is interested in staying with Carolina long-term.

However, the bar could be set at $25 million a year in salary once Luck and Wilson sign their next contracts.

Person expects Newton’s deal to come in closer to that $25 million figure than the $20 million guys like Aaron Rodgers, Joe Flacco, and Matt Ryan received in their contracts.

Panthers GM Dave Gettleman said last month that they view Newton as their franchise quarterback and expect to have a long-term contract in place with him at some point in time.

“We want him here. I want him here,” Gettleman said, via the Charlotte Observer. “The contract, in its time, will take place. I’m not going to get into the when, where, why and how of the contract. But we believe in Cam. He’s our franchise quarterback.

“What I feel confident of is, in time, something will happen. He’s our franchise quarterback. I want him here.”

The Panthers picked up Newton’s fifth-year option last year, which will run them $14.666 million for the 2015 season. On top of that, Carolina will have the franchise tag at their disposal in 2016, so they clearly have options to consider in the coming years.

Newton, 25, has thrown for 3,127 yards and completed 58.5 percent of his passes to go along with 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions over the course of 14 games. Newton has also contributed 539 yards rushing and five touchdowns on the ground.

Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 8 quarterback in the league out of 39 qualifying players this season.