NFL Rumors: Cam Newton Talked With Patriots Early in Free Agency
One of the best free-agent quarterbacks still on the market is Cam Newton. It's crazy to think that he still hasn't signed with a team yet given his supreme talent as a dual-threat player, but the unfortunate events that have transpired because of the pandemic are likely the reason teams have been hesitant to sign someone like Newton, who has been plagued with injuries recently.
A team that has consistently been considered a good landing spot for Newton is the New England Patriots, who have a quarterback competition on their hands now that Tom Brady is no long with the team. And according to a report over the weekend, New England did talk to the former MVP earlier this offseason.
League sources believe Newton and the New England Patriots talked early during his free agency but nothing materialized," wrote ESPN's Jeremy Fowler on Saturday.
After giving veteran safety Patrick Chung a two-year extension a couple weeks back, and then in turn signing safety Kyle Dugger, who was the final draft pick they had left to sign from this year's class, the Patriots have now have just over $650,000 in available cap space to spend, according to Boston Sports Journal's Miguel Benzan. They've been in a tight cap situation all offseason, which is why they weren't able to sign any high-profile talent during free agency and instead turned their attention to the draft to acquire talent.
Even if Newton wanted to sign with New England at a relatively cheap price, it may still not be enough for the Patriots to bring him on board. The Patriots would have to give him a multi-year contract and backload it, which is likely something Newton wouldn't want to do, because the contract would likely include void years and very little upfront money, which would likely prevent the deal from happening.
Those it is not confirmed, one has to think the talks between Newton and the Patriots early in free agency were about his health status as he enters his 10th NFL season at 31 years of age.
