Cam Newton addresses controversial Patriots contract

Cam Newton could not care less about the terms of his contract with the Patriots. Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Cam Newton on Patriots contract: 'This is not about money for me, it's about respect'

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 7/2/20

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.

Cam Newton contract: 1 yr $1.05m minimum base. Just $550k guaranteed at signing Up to $6.45m in incentives/per game roster bonuses. And no clause restricting a 2021 franchise tag. Patriots get a former MVP for less than many pay backup OL
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) July 1, 2020

Newton apparently heard and read criticisms of the contract and responded via Instagram.

View this post on Instagram

ïtš ÑØT âłøt øf thïñgš MØÑĒ¥ čâññøt bûÿ, ßŪT âmøñgšt thë tøp øf thât łïšt øf thïñgš, ÿøû wøûłd fïñd RĒŠ₽ĒČT âš øñë øf thøšë‼️ »THÏŠ ÏŠ ÑØT ÄßØŪT MØÑĒ¥ FØR MĒ; ïtš âbøût RĒŠ₽ĒČT« > • >• >• >• >• > #ÄŁŁïKÑØWïšWØRK #ïmßĒTTÏÑGïtÄŁŁøñMĒ♠️♥️♣️♦️ #šhïñëTHRŪthëŠHÄDĒ #ñøtFØRłïkëšJŪŠTførŁÏFĒ -1ØVĒ

A post shared by Cam Newton (@cameron1newton) on Jul 2, 2020 at 10:18am PDT

"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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