Carolina: Newton out, Bridgewater signs $63M contract
The Carolina Panthers have found a replacement for Cam Newton — and it didn’t take long.
The Panthers have agreed to a three-year, $63 million contract with free agent quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, a person familiar with the negotiations told the Associated Press.
The deal cannot be announced until the start of the league year today.
The Panthers announced earlier they were parting ways with Newton, their No. 1 overall pick in 2011.
Carolina general manager Marty Hurney said Tuesday via Twitter the team is giving the 31-year-old quarterback permission to seek a trade — although the former league
MVP responded by saying he never requested one.
“Every year difficult decisions are made, and they are never easy,” Hurney said. “We have been working with Cam and his agent to find the best fit for him moving forward and he will always be a Carolina Panther in our hearts.”
Newton was quick to respond to the Panthers on social media, saying he didn’t ask for the trade.
The 27-year-old Bridgewater spent the past two seasons with the Saints and led them to five straight wins while Drew Brees was injured, completing 68% of his passes with nine touchdown passes and two interceptions. Bridgewater previously worked one season in New Orleans with Joe Brady, who is now Carolina’s offensive coordinator, and would have some familiarity with the offensive scheme.
Newton has battled shoulder and foot injuries the last two seasons and lost his last eight starts for the Panthers.
A former No. 1 overall pick in 2011, Newton made the Pro Bowl three times and was the NFL’s MVP in 2015 when he led the Panthers to the Super Bowl. He holds most of the franchise’s passing records and has run for more touchdowns than any QB in league history. DEALS COULD BE DELAYED DUE TO LACK OF PHYSICALS » While NFL teams are making deals at a rapid pace, the time frame for trades and free agent contracts to be finalized could be slowed significantly due to complications related to the coronavirus pandemic.
The league also is prohibiting teams from announcing free agent acquisitions that are agreed to but not finalized pending the player passing a physical exam. Only completed contracts may be announced.
RIVERS HEADED TO INDY » Philip Rivers spent more than a decade picking apart the Indianapolis Colts and irritating their fans.
On Wednesday, he’ll become their new quarterback.
The longtime Chargers star agreed to a one-year contract with Indy on Tuesday, according to a person who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal cannot be officially announced until today. TANNEHILL, TITANS AGREE TO TERMS » Ryan Tannehill is living proof of just how much difference a year can make. Traded away by Miami a year ago, Tannehill has gone from backup and starter once again to now landing a four-year, $118 million contract with a very secure future with Tennessee.
Tannehill and the Titans agreed to the deal Sunday, a year to the day they traded for the quarterback. BREES RETURNING TO SAINTS » The Saints and record-setting quarterback Drew Brees have agreed on a two-year, $50 million contract, a person familiar with the situation said.
The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been announced.
SHORT YARDAGE »
Ryan
Shazier’s NFL career is over. For now at least.
The Pittsburgh Steelers placed the inside linebacker on the reserved/retired list on Tuesday. Shazier spent the last two seasons on the Physically Unable to Perform list while recovering from a spinal injury suffered in December 2017.
• The Cincinnati Bengals are devoting serious money to upgrading their defense, reportedly agreeing Tuesday to give nearly $100 million to a pair of free agents.
First, the team and defensive tackle D.J. Reader agreed to a four-year, $53 million contract, per multiple reports. Then cornerback Trae Waynes agreed to join the team on a three-year, $42 million deal, the NFL Network reported.