Cam Newton on Patriots contract: 'This is not about money for me, it's about respect'
After it was learned that the New England Patriots didn't guarantee onetime Most Valuable Player Cam Newton a starting job before the quarterback put pen to paper on a deal with the club, CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora revealed that the 31-year-old signed a contract that carries a minimum base of $1.05 million and up to to $6.45 million in incentives and game bonuses.
Newton apparently heard and read criticisms of the contract and responded via Instagram.
"This is not about money for me, it's about respect," Newton captioned the post in his preferred font.
As much as Newton's talent and résumé cannot be ignored, neither can his injury history. Over the past 18 months, he underwent shoulder surgery in January 2019 and then suffered a Lisfranc fracture that sidelined him after only two appearances last fall.
Newton doesn't have to show he knows how to win, but he does have to prove to the Patriots and every other team he can survive a grueling 16-game season and be 100% for January playoff contests.
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