The Panthers and QB Cam Newton are "close to finalizing a contract extension" that "could average" upward of $20M per year, according to sources cited by Jones & Person of the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER. Newton, the No. 1 overall pick in the '11 NFL Draft, is "scheduled to make" $14.67M in '15. There was "some thinking that Newton might be content" to let Seahawks QB Russell Wilson and Colts QB Andrew Luck "reset the quarterback market, both of whom could land deals worth as much" as $25M a year (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 6/2). In Charlotte, Joseph Person in a front-page piece notes the deal the Dolphins gave QB Ryan Tannehill two weeks ago "might have accelerated Newton's negotiations." Tannehill, who will receive an average of $19.25M per year in new money, "came into the league a year after Newton and has yet to lead the Dolphins to a playoff berth" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 6/2). ESPN's J.A. Adande said Newton is the "face of the franchise, so he deserves franchise player-type money.” Adande: "The problem is does this leave enough money to get some receivers, which they desperately need down there" (“Around The Horn,” ESPN, 6/1).
THE CAT'S PAJAMAS: THE MMQB's Emily Kaplan writes it "doesn't matter" where Newton ranks among the league's QBs, as a precedent "has been set for teams to overpay" QBs. Newton has "demonstrated that he can develop as a passer and win in the playoffs." Kaplan: "What was the Panthers’ alternative? Pray that an aging veteran falls to them in free agency down the line? Hinge their fortunes on a draftee? In today’s NFL, once you find a sure enough QB, you keep him unless there’s an obvious upgrade" (MMQB.SI.com, 6/2). ESPN’s Israel Gutierrez noted Newton does deserve the new deal, but he said, “At this point in the NFL, if you just have a decent quarterback, you have to throw this kind of money at him. The alternative is you could have a terrible quarterback and you have to go fishing again" ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 6/1). In Charlotte, Tom Sorensen writes, "When you find your quarterback, you take care of him" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 6/2). ESPN’s Marcellus Wiley said, “You don’t have a chance in the NFL if you don’t have a quarterback. They do have a quarterback” (“SportsNation,” ESPN2, 6/1).
