The New England Patriots had a gap in the quarterback position with Tom Brady leaving for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but are bringing in a former MVP to fill the void. On Sunday, the Patriots signed Cam Newton to a 1-year deal worth up to $7.5 million.
The former NFC Champion was sidelined due to a foot injury for most of the 2019 season. He now has a lot to prove and a chip on his shoulder after being released from the Carolina Panthers in March and staying on the free agent market for quite some time. Newton, a former No. 1 draft pick, has thrown for 29,041 yards, 182 touchdowns and 108 interceptions and rushed for 4,806 yards and 58 touchdowns in his career.
Newton tweeted about the signing, saying (in his typical bizarre font), "I'm excited as I don't know what right now. All praise to god. Dropping content tomorrow!! I hope you're ready. #LetsGoPats."
— Cameron 1 Newton (@CameronNewton) June 29, 2020
Players around the league are congratulating Newton on the signing. Here are some of the best player reactions:
Brady reacted to his possible successor saying, "Under Armour QBs" with "100" emojis. Looks like the GOAT approves. Newton commented on the same post with his signature, "-1øvë."
Tom Brady reacts to Cam Newton signing #Patriots pic.twitter.com/8bfBHnOlJM
— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrCBS) June 29, 2020
Patriots star wide receiver Julian Edelman shared a photoshopped post with Newton, captioning it with a fitting Massachusetts town.
📍•néwtôn, MASSACHUSÊTTS• 📍#LetsWork @CameronNewton pic.twitter.com/PJLLrYVvhf
— Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) June 30, 2020
His former running back Christian McCaffrey tweeted, "So happy for my guy!"
So happy for my guy! @CameronNewton https://t.co/O03DfaSEp1
— Christian McCaffrey (@CMC_22) June 29, 2020
Greg Olsen, another former Carolina Panthers teammate, wrote, "Couldn't be happier for Cameron Newton! Patriots are getting a stud!!"
Couldn’t be happier for @CameronNewton! Patriots are getting a stud!! 👏👏👏
— Greg Olsen (@gregolsen88) June 29, 2020
Star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. told Newton that his hard work has paid off.
@CameronNewton U been workin! U deserve tht! SWEAAAAAH!!! 😭😭😭
— Odell Beckham Jr (@obj) June 29, 2020
Melvin Gordon is rooting for Cam.
LETS GO CAM !!!
— F L ⚡️ S H (@Melvingordon25) June 29, 2020
Cameron Jordan said the AFC East just got a little more interesting.
We all saw it comin... 👀👀 AFC issues now 🤷🏽♂️🤷🏽♂️🤷🏽♂️ Healthy Newton a PROBLEM https://t.co/AWeJpwzolD
— cameron jordan (@camjordan94) June 29, 2020
Patriots cornerback and AP defensive player of the year Stephon Gilmore reacted to the news with eye emojis while Devin and Jason McCourty responded with the same.
— Devin&Jason McCourty (@McCourtyTwins) June 29, 2020
Patriots running back James White had the same feelings.
— James White (@SweetFeet_White) June 29, 2020
Jonathan Stewart is predicting an epic comeback.
Soo happy for cam! Everyone is about to witness a come back season like no other!
— Jonathan Stewart (@Jonathanstewar1) June 29, 2020
Dez Bryant calls the news "major" for Newton.
Congratulations to @CameronNewton that’s major 🙏🏿 https://t.co/ZGALliq0Me
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) June 29, 2020
Jamal Adams thinks Belichick is making some good moves.
I salute Coach Bill Belichick for that!
— Jamal Adams (@Prez) June 29, 2020
That's Real. Congratulations Cam!
Hall of Famer Warren Moon says "a great organization knows great talent, and accepts that talent into their program to keep winning alive and possible!"
Congratulations to @CameronNewton on signing with the @Patriots ! I wasn’t sure they would pull the trigger on signing him- but a great organization knows great talent, and accepts that talent into their program to keep winning alive and possible! Good luck Cam!
— Warren Moon (@WMoon1) June 29, 2020
Richard Sherman says a former MVP signing for the minimum is "ridiculous."
How many former League MVPs have had to sign for the min? (Asking for a friend.) just ridiculous. A transcendent talent and less talented QBs are getting 15/16m a year. Disgusting https://t.co/eZycGL8qkZ
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) June 29, 2020
Dwayne Haskins reacted with a fire emoji.
Yeah this that 🔥 https://t.co/y2iIh2pcNX
— Dwayne Haskins, Jr (@dh_simba7) June 29, 2020
Joe Mixon says Newton is in a great situation.
Cam in a great situation💯
— ⚡️Primetime!!!⚡️ (@Joe_MainMixon) June 29, 2020