Cam Newton has just placed himself in the ranks of the top five highest paid quarterbacks in the NFL after reportedly completing an agreement with the Carolina Panthers.
Ink to paper! @CameronNewton makes it official! pic.twitter.com/01dKfhJlCn
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) June 2, 2015
According to ESPN Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefer, Newton agreed and signed a contract extension estimated to be worth $103.8 million for five years.
Newton was the first pick in the 2011 NFL Draft and was headed into the final year of his rookie contract. The Panthers used the team option last year, which saw Newton take home $14,666,666, before news of the contract extension came out.
The deal seems to have satisfied the concerns of Newton’s representatives, a contract with a high percentage of guaranteed pay that is not tied to injuries and other clauses. Apparently, this had to something with the contract that Colin Kaepernick (San Francisco 49ers) and Andy Dalton (Cincinnati Bengals) signed with their respective teams last year.
The deal was witnessed and agreed upon by Newton’s agents, Bus Cook, Tony Paige and Chitta Mallik and Panther officials. It is one of the biggest ones in the NFL where Newton stands to receive $67.6 million in the first three years. It is the largest payout for the first three years in NFL history, shattering the previous record held by Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers which stood at $65 million.
While that places Newton among the top five of high salaried quarterbacks for now, it is believed that two other players could surpass him soon.
These are Andrew Luck and Russell Wilson who are expected to be given larger contracts once their current ones reached their end. As far as the Panthers are concerned, however, the front office seems pretty much content and thrilled with the Newton deal.
According to general manager Dave Gettlemen, Cam is their franchise quarterback and will now be looking at long-term planning as they build the ballclub around Newton.
Newton didn’t exactly have a stellar performance last year, owing to his bout with injuries. Obviously, however, the Panthers have taken notice of what Newton brings to the table.
Gettlemen singles out what Newton brings to the team. He has the strength, speed and arm that impressed the Panthers. Newton has a record of 30-31-1 since joining the club in 2011. He has thrown 14,426 yards, 82 touchdowns and 54 interceptions. He has run 2,571 yards and 33 touchdowns as well, and these numbers stand to get better and hopefully pay dividends for Carolina moving forward.
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