These 6 teams are paying backup QB’s more than the Patriots will pay Cam Newton

These six backup quarterbacks will make more than Cam Newton in 2020.

Cam Newton has a new job, but it’s not a well-compensated one.

The former NFL MVP with the Carolina Panthers will begin year 10 in the league on an incentive-laden one-year contract with the New England Patriots. Newton hasn’t been the same player since the end of the 2015 NFL season. He’s looking to bounce back after playing only two games in what was his final year in Charlotte.

Despite being a former No. 1 overall pick by the Panthers back in 2011, the 2010 Heisman Trophy winner out of Auburn has signed a deal worth pennies on the dollar. If Newton is healthy and meets all of his incentives, he’ll receive $7.5 million, which is still backup quarterback money. According to Spotrac, as many as six backup quarterbacks will get paid more than Newton to start for the Patriots.

Here are six backup quarterbacks who will make more than Cam Newton.

• Alex Smith, Washington Redskins ($21,400,000)
• Jacoby Brissett, Indianapolis Colts ($21,375,000)
• Mitchell Trubisky, Chicago Bears ($9,327,591)
• Marcus Mariota, Las Vegas Raiders ($9,125,000)
• Ryan Fitzpatrick, Miami Dolphins ($8,000,000)
• Tyrod Taylor, Los Angeles Chargers ($7,500,000)

Naturally, all six “backup” quarterbacks above Newton in terms of pay have their reasons for being there. Smith was slated to be the Redskins’ starter, but a likely career-ending injury in 2018 happened. He may never play another snap in the NFL but is still on the Washington payroll. Look for him to pivot to a role in the front office with the franchise in the next year or so.

Brissett was the starter in Indianapolis for two of the last three years. He was forced into action once Andrew Luck decided to abruptly retire mid-way through the preseason. He has been replaced by longtime Chargers starter Philip Rivers for what looks to be one season in Indianapolis before the future Pro Football Hall of Famer hangs up the spikes to coach some high school ball.

Trubisky is technically in a battle for the Bears’ starting job, but he’s going to end up losing to newcomer Nick Foles out of camp. Mariota signed on with the Silver and Black to backup Derek Carr. Fitzpatrick will eventually lose out to Tua Tagovailoa in Miami. The same thing applies to Taylor in Los Angeles with Justin Herbert.

If Newton really is a one-year rental with the Patriots, okay we understand the lack of compensation this late in the ball game. However, it’s weird to see a top-12 quarterback when healthy be this marginalized in the quarterbacks getting paid hierarchy. Let’s hope Newton has his opportunity to get one last big payday before he fully exits his prime as a professional player.

Newton will see half a dozen backup quarterbacks get paid more than him in salary this year.