Cam Newton Contract: Salary Puts Patriots Quarterback Among Lowest-Paid Starters In 2020

Cam Newton has signed a one-year contract with the New England Patriots. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the deal is worth up to $7.5 million.

Most of the contract is reportedly incentive-based. Even if Newton manages to beat out Jarrett Stidham and earn every penny possible, he’ll still be one of the lowest-paid starting quarterbacks for the 2020 season.

According to Spotrac, 25 quarterbacks have an average yearly salary north of $7.5 million, based on their current contracts.

Two of Newton’s newest division rivals are guaranteed to earn more money than him next season. Sam Darnold makes $7.561 million a year. Tua Tagovailoa hasn’t played an NFL game yet, but the No.5 overall pick in April’s draft ranks 24th among quarterbacks with a $7.568 million salary.

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen makes $5.295 million per year.

Russell Wilson leads all players with a $35 million salary. He inked a four-year, $140 million deal a year ago. Eight quarterbacks, including Aaron Rodgers, Jared Goff and Dak Prescott, make at least $30 million a season.

Fifteen quarterbacks make at least $25 million a season. Tom Brady, who Newton is hoping to replace in New England, signed a two-year contract worth $25 million per season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers three months ago.

Newton signed a five-year contract worth up to $103 million with the Carolina Panthers before the 2015 season. The quarterback rewarded the team by winning the NFL MVP award and leading Carolina to its first-ever Super Bowl that same year.

Newton had an $18.6 million base salary for the 2020 season before the Panthers released him in March in the final year of his contract.

Carolina drafted Newton first overall in the 2011 draft. His rookie contract was worth $22 million over four years.