Cam Newton is sticking around, as the Patriots have agreed to a one-year contract with the veteran quarterback, a league source confirmed Friday.
The deal could be worth up to $14 million if the former NFL MVP hits a number of incentives tied to individual and team performances. It’s likely Newton will count around $8 million against the salary cap.
During a recent appearance on the “I Am Athlete” podcast, Newton hinted that a return was in the works, telling host Brandon Marshall, “Hell yes,” he would come back.
“I’m getting tired of changing [teams],” Newton said. “I’m at a point in my career where I know way more than I did last year. Yes, I would go back.”
Newton seemingly confirmed the move with an afternoon Instagram post of video of himself landing at Logan Airport last July along with highlights from the season with the caption “!! Run it back !!”
Several teammates also took to social media to express their excitement at the news that the quarterback is back.
Locking up Newton gives the Patriots a plan to build on with free agency set to begin Monday when agents and teams can begin discussing deals ahead of Wednesday’s start of free agency. It does not, however, preclude the club from making other moves to bolster the position through free agent signings, trades, and the draft.
New England also has quarterbacks Jarrett Stidham and Jake Dolegala (who spent last year on the practice squad) under contract.
Newton, who will turn 32 in May, compiled a 7-8 record in 2020, seizing the starter’s job during a truncated training camp after agreeing to a one-year deal in July.
He completed 242 of 368 passes for 2,657 yards with 8 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while playing 87 percent of the snaps. His receiving corps was often in a state of flux because of injuries and inexperience, with the loss of Julian Edelman for the final 10 games because of a knee injury the biggest blow.
Newton excelled as a rushing threat, carrying 137 times for 592 yards and 12 touchdowns. He had a sizzling start to the season, leading the Patriots to a 2-1 start, with the loss coming on the final play in Seattle.
But he tested positive for COVID-19 just days before the Week 4 showdown in Kansas City, and he acknowledged following his recuperation that it was a struggle to keep pace with an offense that he had only scratched the surface of learning.
His play fell off after his return, but Newton showed flashes during a midseason stretch when the Patriots went 4-1 to get back into playoff contention. Three straight losses sealed the club’s fate before a season-ending win over the Jets.
Newton, who came to New England after his last two seasons in Carolina were cut short by shoulder and foot injuries, said he accomplished one of his goals in 2020 by making it through the campaign healthy. Now, with a full offseason and training camp in the Patriots program, he can get the chance to accomplish more goals.
Signing Newton likely is the first of several significant moves as the Patriots, armed with upward of $60 million in salary-cap space, look to overhaul their roster after failing to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2008 season.
Newton immediately became a popular figure in the Patriots organization, embracing his leadership role as he took over for Tom Brady, the most decorated player in league history.
He drew praise from coach Bill Belichick for his personality, presence, and work ethic throughout the season.
“He’s a very, very unselfish player,” Belichick said in September. “He’s a great teammate. He’s earned everybody’s respect, really, daily. He just continues to do everything that he can to help our team and that’s really all you can ask from anyone and he continually does that, puts himself last and puts the team first.”
Despite COVID-19 restrictions, Newton was adept at connecting with teammates, and . he was voted a captain shortly after camp broke.
Following the season finale, in which Newton threw three touchdown passes and caught another, he reflected on his season, and even then sounded like a man hoping for another chance.
“I have my desires — I know where my heart’s at,” he said. “I know things, who I am. But as far as [returning], I can’t really speak on it right now. But just my whole time in New England has been a blessing. I’ve learned so much about myself, about great teammates, unbelievable coaching. Yeah, so I’ll just see how it goes, go from there.”
The timing of the signing isn’t a big surprise, as Newton stated in January that he regretted waiting so long to ink a deal last summer and his intention was to get under contract quickly this offseason.
Newton also lamented not being able to play in front of fans at Gillette Stadium. Now he’ll get that opportunity.
“That was a great regret for me; I was anticipating just playing in front of the fans in Foxborough or New England,” he said. “I’ve had the opportunity to play against the Patriots obviously with the other team. Seeing how emphatic they were about their team, I just wanted to witness it.
“I know that would have probably been a cool experience. With me being such an emotional energy type of guy, not having the fans there to give you that extra boost, who knows what would have happened?”
Jim McBride can be reached at james.mcbride@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @globejimmcbride.
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