Patriots

Cam Newton signing a one-year deal with the Patriots

The 31-year-old Newton was the first overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.

Cam Newton
Cam Newton. AP Photo/Mike McCarn, File

The Patriots have agreed to a one-year contract with quarterback Cam Newton, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press.

The one-year deal is worth up to $7.5 million with incentives, the person said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss it publicly. A Patriots spokesman said the team had nothing to announce Sunday night.

The signing was first reported by ESPN.

The 31-year-old Newton, the first overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, was released this past March by the Carolina Panthers. Over the course of his nine-year NFL career, Newton has completed 60 percent of his passes, for 29,041 yards, 182 touchdowns, and 108 interceptions. He won the league’s MVP award in 2015. 

Newton, who arrives in New England just months after Tom Brady left for Tampa Bay as a free agent, will join a quarterback room that includes Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer. The Patriots had been heading to training camp with  Stidham, a 2019 fourth-round draft pick, as the heir apparent to Brady. Stidham appeared in three games last season, completing two passes for 14 yards with one interception.

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