Free-agent quarterback Cam Newton has agreed to a one-year contract with the New England Patriots, ESPN reported on Sunday night citing league sources.
The 2015 NFL MVP will join the six-time Super Bowl champions on an incentive-laden deal to challenge fourth-round pick Jarrett Stidham and journeyman Brian Hoyer for the starting job vacated by Tom Brady, who left to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in free agency.
The NFL Network reported the contract is worth up to $7.5m, citing an informed source.
Newton, a former No 1 overall draft pick who turned 31 in May, had spent his entire nine-year professional career with the Carolina Panthers until he was released by the team in March after they signed Teddy Bridgewater to a three-year, $63m pact.
The Auburn product, who passed for 45 touchdowns and led Carolina to the Super Bowl during a scintillating 2015 campaign, has struggled with injuries in the years since, missing 14 games last season with a foot woe and playing the final two games of 2018 with a shoulder ailment that also required surgery.
