Latest On Free Agent QB Cam Newton

Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, citing league sources, reports that the free agent market for QB Cam Newton has cooled over the past month and it’s to the point now where he’s expected to take his time before signing with a team.

According to Fowler, Newton could wait until teams resume regular activity following the shutdown, which would allow teams the ability to host him for medical examination and meet with him in person before possibly signing him to a contract. 

Fowler mentions that sources around the NFL aren’t sure whether Newton would take a backup job.

The Patriots had been tossed out as a potential landing spot for Newton shortly after he was released and Fowler says league sources believe New England spoke to him during the free agency period. However, nothing ever materialized.

Ian Rapoport reported a few weeks ago that Newton’s camp has said the former MVP has not ruled out taking a backup job in the right spot. 

While previous reports had indicated Newton was willing to wait for the chance to start even if it meant waiting until an injury during training camp, it appears his stance may be softening. 

There aren’t many spots available now as the offseason winds to a close and there’s no guarantee an injury would free up a job. 

The Patriots and Jaguars seem inclined to roll with the third-day quarterbacks they drafted in 2019, while the Steelers and Chargers appear to be content with their backup quarterback situation. 

Newton has also not garnered much immediate interest on the free-agent market because of concerns about his health given serious foot and shoulder injuries the past few seasons. The current situation with the pandemic shutdown has prevented teams from getting a close look at Newton for themselves. 

Before the Panthers released Newton, Carolina tried shopping him to the Bears and Chargers, but to no avail. Chicago traded for Nick Foles, while Los Angeles appears set to roll with Tyrod Taylor and potentially a rookie. 

Newton, 30, is a former first-round pick of the Panthers back in 2011. He is entering the fifth year of his six-year, $118.47 million contract that includes $60 million guaranteed and stands to make base salaries of $16.2 million and $18.6 million over the final two years of the agreement.

In 2019, Newton appeared in two games for the Panthers, completing 50 out of 89 passes for 572 yards, no touchdowns and one interception. He also rushed five times for -2 yards.

We have Newton listed in our Top-100 2020 Free Agents list.