How much is Cam worth?
The Story
Panthers QB Cam Newton is in contract negotiations. Should he get paid like a Russell Wilson or a Joe Flacco?
Cam Newton, Panthers reportedly talking contract extension http://t.co/sCgGlaGwwZ pic.twitter.com/ppUFbpQAjn
— SI Wire (@SI_Wire) February 22, 2015
The Scenarios
Here’s what’s getting tossed about, according to The Charlotte Observer’s Joe Person:
Option 1: Big $. Seattle’s Russell Wilson and Indianapolis’ Andrew Luck are in negotiations to become the NFL’s highest-paid quarterbacks: Around $25 million/year.
Person reports that while Cam likely won’t earn those kinds of figures, such a deal could raise the salary bar for all QBs.
Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers talking extension, but Cam may wait for others to set market. http://t.co/aD1ywJ8lqP pic.twitter.com/EKHxl3LOhh
— Mike Persinger (@mikepersinger) February 22, 2015
Option 2: Pretty big $. Other good QBs – Aaron Rodgers, Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco – are in the $20 million/year range. Analysts say they could see Cam more in line with this group, considering he’s a “franchise” player.
Option 3: Pay for performance. San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick has a deal that decreases his pay $2 million a year every time he doesn’t make the Super Bowl or is named an All-Pro. Apparently Cam is not a fan of that model.
What the fans say
I really hope the Panthers are crazy enough to let Cam Newton hit the free agent market. Then we’d have some perspective on these QB deals.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) February 19, 2015
Best Player To Build Team Around Preliminary Round RT- DeMarco Murray FAV- Cam Newton pic.twitter.com/3odnOLZ7eo
— Fan Vote Brackets (@HFBrackets) February 18, 2015
Id take Cam Newton over Tim Tebow anyday
— FLYNT (@brysonhouston) February 15, 2015
My main question being…why does Cam Newton drive a late 90s model Dodge Ram? He could’ve afforded more on his Auburn salary.
— Kreag (@realsuperdome21) December 9, 2014
Q5’s Take
We appreciate that Cam keeps it clean. You don’t hear about him getting in trouble, his foundation is doing good stuff for Charlotte and he’s got star quality. He’s even got a line of clothing at Belk. And, he’s about to graduate from Auburn. Now, he just needs to get us to the Super Bowl.
Of course Cam Newton had to be involved in the NBA Fashion Show airing on TNT right now. pic.twitter.com/OLD9em0XvQ
— Kevin Ridley WCNC (@KJRidley) February 15, 2015
Photo: Jonathan Ferrey / Getty
This story was originally published February 23, 2015 at 12:35 AM with the headline "How much is Cam worth?."