Cam Newton is back with Carolina.
The former MVP quarterback agreed to a contract with the Panthers on Thursday morning, the team announced. The one-year deal is worth up to $10 million with $4.5 million guaranteed and a $1.5 million roster bonus, according to multiple reports.
The Charlotte Observer first reported that Newton, 32, was meeting with Panthers officials. Newton spent the first nine years of his career with the franchise.
Newton, whom the Panthers selected No. 1 overall in the 2011 NFL Draft, was cut by the Patriots during training camp. He didn’t do much last year with New England, throwing for 2,657 yards and rushing for 592 as the Patriots struggled to adjust to life without Tom Brady.
The Panthers also have struggled to adjust to life without Newton.
They went 5-11 last season with Teddy Bridgewater at quarterback, then traded three draft picks to the Jets for Sam Darnold in April. Through nine games, however, Carolina is 4-5 and it seems Darnold isn’t the answer. Darnold, who is expected to miss four-to-six weeks with a shoulder injury, has 11 interceptions to just seven touchdown passes and is averaging just 6.5 yards per attempt. PJ Walker was in line to be Carolina’s starter (and is expected to start Sunday at Arizona) before the Newton reunion.
Cam Newton is meeting with Panthers brass on Thursday. Tribune News Service via Getty INewton suffered a Lisfranc injury while with the Panthers two seasons ago that kept him off the field for all but two games. After trying and failing to trade Newton, the Panthers released him following the 2019 season.
The reunion with one of the best players in franchise history could help solve some of Carolina’s issues.
In his 10 seasons with the Panthers and Patriots, the three-time Pro Bowler and 2015 MVP has 31,698 yards passing, 190 passing touchdowns, 5,398 yards rushing and 70 rushing scores.
