Patriots & QB Cam Newton Unlikely To Adjust Contract Midseason

According to Ian Rapoport, the Patriots aren’t likely to adjust QB Cam Newton‘s contract midseason, either with a raise or an extension. 

Rapoport notes Newton still has a considerable injury history to take into account so the Patriots prefer to wait and see how the full season plays out despite Newton’s hot start. 

As for the veteran passer, Newton is in position to cash in big at the end of the year, either on the franchise tag with New England or in unrestricted free agency, so taking a potential discount now doesn’t make sense either. 

Newton signed with the Patriots this offseason and won the starting job after being released by the Panthers following an injury-marred past couple seasons. However, the former MVP has looked healthy and as good as ever through two games this season. 

Newton, 31, is a former first-round pick of the Panthers back in 2011. He was entering the fifth year of his six-year, $118.47 million contract that includes $60 million guaranteed and set to make base salaries of $16.2 million and $18.6 million over the final two years of the agreement when the Panthers cut him this offseason. 

The Patriots later signed Newton to a one-year deal back in June. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent in 2021. 

In 2020, Newton has appeared in two games for the Patriots and completed 45-63 passes for 552 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He’s also rushed 26 times for 122 yards and four touchdowns. 

We’ll have more on Newton as the news is available.