Cam lands with Pats
Team fined for filming Bengals
Cam Newton has finally found a new home with the Patriots, signing a 1-year deal loaded with incentives, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen.
Prior to signing Newton, the Patriots — who lost Tom Brady to the Buccaneers in free agency — were facing the prospect of heading into training camp with Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer competing for the starting quarterback role.
Newton, the former No. 1 overall pick in 2011, was released by the Panthers at the end of March following a 2019 season that was derailed by a Lisfranc injury in his left foot that required surgery in December.
A source told ESPN that the 31-year-old passed his physical on May 31, and that his foot and his shoulder injury — which ended his 2018 season — were both healed.
Prior to his release, Newton had spent his entire career with Carolina, leading the Panthers to four playoff appearances, three division titles and the 2015 Super Bowl, which they lost to the Denver Broncos.
In nine seasons, Newton threw for 29,041 yards and 182 touchdowns, while rushing for another 4,806 yards and 58 touchdowns. He was named to three Pro Bowls (2011, 2013, 2015) and was the league MVP in 2015, when he accounted for 45 total touchdowns.
The Panthers replaced Newton with Teddy Bridgewater, who signed a three-year, $60 million contract two weeks before Newton was officially released. Bridgewater, who filled in for Saints quarterback Drew Brees through five games this past season, helped New Orleans go 5-0 during his starts.
PATS FINED $1.1M
The Patriots have been fined $1.1 million by the NFL for inappropriately filming the Cincinnati Bengals' sideline during a game last season.
On Sunday, the league also took away a third-round pick in the 2021 draft.
Also, the team's production crew will not be allowed to shoot any games in the 2020 season.
The filming occurred at the Bengals game at Cleveland on Dec. 8 of last season. The Bengals hosted the Patriots the following week and lost, 34-13.
When the taping became known last season, the team said at the time a three-person crew producing a web series titled “Do Your Job” “inappropriately filmed the field from the press box” as part of a feature on the scouting department.
The filming took place “without specific knowledge of league rules,” the statement said.
Also, the team's statement last season said that while they were granted credentials for the crew from the Browns, “our failure to inform the Bengals and the league was an unintended oversight.”
When confronted, the team said the crew “immediately turned over all footage to the league and cooperated fully.”
Previously, New England was fined $250,000 and lost a first-round draft pick in 2007 for violating NFL rules against using video to steal signals in a scandal dubbed “Spygate.” Bill Belichick was also fined $500,000.