NFL fans won't get a regular-season matchup between Jimmy Garoppolo and Tom Brady, but the San Francisco 49ers will travel to New England and likely face the newest Patriot, Cam Newton.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported on Sunday that the former Carolina Panthers quarterback is signing a one-year deal worth up to $7.5 million to compete to lead Bill Belichick's offense in 2020.
BREAKING: Patriots signing QB Cam Newton to one-year deal. (via @Rapsheet) pic.twitter.com/rsIvM0WNnT
— NFL (@NFL) June 29, 2020
The Panthers made Newton the No. 1 overall pick in 2011 and released the nine-year veteran on March 24. Carolina signed Teddy Bridgewater to be its starting quarterback moving forward.
Newton's last two seasons have been injury-plagued. He landed on injured reserve on November 5 after suffering a Lisfranc fracture, which was healing slower than expected. NFL teams' inability to perform a physical on Newton, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, likely led to his extended offseason unemployment.
Newton, a three-time Pro Bowl selection and first-team All-Pro in 2015, has passed for 29,041 yards and 182 touchdowns over his career.
Before 2019, Newton had never passed for fewer than 3,100 yards. The quarterback's best campaign came in 2015 when he threw for 3,837 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, leading the Panthers to Super Bowl 50, earning MVP honors along the way.
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