Cam Newton is not worth $100 million contract extension
The Carolina Panthers are reportedly on the verge of signing quarterback Cam Newton to a five-year extension, bringing his contract value over $100 million, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Without seeing the guaranteed money, it is impossible to critique the deal, but one thing is very clear: Newton is not worth a cap-crippling contract.
Newton was the first-overall pick in 2011 and since then, has been somewhat of an enigma. The 26-year-old is 30-31-1 when starting and has won the NFC South twice, along with chalking up a playoff victory. Even with a terrific defense led by Thomas Davis and Luke Kuechly, Newton has only posted a winning season once and that playoff win? Beating Ryan Lindley in a hideous game.
The Heisman Trophy winner isn’t a bust, but he certainly isn’t the quality of other top-level quarterbacks who have been drafted high in recent years. Andrew Luck and Matthew Stafford have both been markedly better, and one could compare first-round pick Ryan Tannehill to Newton as well. Newton has the flash and sizzle of a star, but his production is middling.
Newton’s main problem is accuracy. Through four seasons with the Panthers, Newton has never eclipsed 62 percent and last year, regressed from 61.7 percent in 2013 to 58.5 percent. For comparison’s sake, Newton ranked 29th of 33 qualifying quarterbacks, ahead of Derek Carr, Josh McCown, Brian Hoyer and Drew Stanton.
Perhaps more telling, Geno Smith and Blake Bortles were the two players who finished directly ahead of him.
If Newton’s accuracy was a product of missing on deep, contested throws, it would be more understandable. However, that’s not the case. Newton only averaged 6.98 yards per attempt last year, coming in 25th. The two players ranking ahead of him were Austin Davis and game-manager extraordinaire Alex Smith. The touchdown-to-interception ratio was also far from impressive, sitting at 18:12.
All too often, Newton misses open receivers because he fails to get through his progressions or is late throwing the ball.
Next: Breaking down Newton's problems on film